NBA: No Giannis — Bucks lean on Porter and Portis to beat Heat

No Giannis. No excuses.

In Milwaukee the Bucks delivered a tidy 128-117 win over the Miami Heat, their fourth in five. A team effort, driven by a red-hot Kevin Porter Jr. and a controlled fourth quarter.

And in the money time it was the role players who decided it.

Kevin Porter Jr. lights it up

Kevin Porter Jr. matched his season high with 32 points. Attacks to the rim, deep shots, relentless aggression. He hit when it mattered most.

Kevin Porter Jr. 32 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 11/20 FG, 2/4 3FG, 8/8 FT, 68% TS vs Heat https://t.co/05wfhfB7GE pic.twitter.com/mKrmpT6r4f

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) February 25, 2026

With the score 118-116 to Milwaukee, Porter buried a corner three and drew the foul. Three. Free throw good. Four-point play. Games flip on plays like that.

Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins added 21 each. Kyle Kuzma 19. Ousmane Dieng 11. Five players in double figures. The offense moved.

Fourth quarter on a knife-edge

Miami had the early edge. 93-89 entering the final period. Then up nine after a Kel’el Ware three. The Heat looked in control.

But the Bucks pushed back. Portis cut it to 102-100 from deep. Dieng followed and Milwaukee grabbed the lead. It turned into a war of nerves.

Norman Powell finished with 26 for Miami. Bam Adebayo added 18 and nine rebounds. Andrew Wiggins 16. But in the dying minutes it was Rollins’ back-to-back buckets that shut the door.

Milwaukee survives without Giannis

Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his 12th straight game, still hampered by a right calf issue. The numbers are clear: the Bucks are balanced with him this season and noticeably worse without him.

Still, Tuesday night they showed they can win another way. More team-driven. Less reliant on one player.

Miami, riding a three-game streak, had it snapped.

Two storylines to watch

The Heat head to Philadelphia on Thursday. The Bucks host Cleveland in a tougher test.

In a tight Eastern Conference, wins like this matter. Especially when they come without your franchise player.

Tuesday night Milwaukee proved it can find answers. And Kevin Porter Jr. reminded everyone he can be more than just a sidekick.

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Author

Sacha Stermer

As an NBA and Spurs fan for more than 10 years, I created Buzzer Beater on social media. I also study information and communication as well as write article on Mathodds.