Sam Merrill Hits Record-Breaking Three For Bucks In Win Over Heat
Dec 30, 2020, 10:16 AM
Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies shoots against the New Mexico Lobos during their game at The Pit on February 29, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah State guard Sam Merrill was a part of NBA history on Tuesday night with the Milwaukee Bucks.
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Sam Merrill drilled the three-pointer that helped the Bucks break the NBA record for most triples by a team in NBA history. At the time, the team made 27 three-pointers which tied the current record. Merrill dribbled down the floor, stopped and popped a three and made it to break the record. The previous record was 27 triples made in a game by the Houston Rockets against the Phoenix Suns on April 7, 2019.
Merrill finished with 3 points, 2 rebounds and one assist, making his only shot attempt in the game which broke the record.
NBA record-breaking moment. pic.twitter.com/OFeVdrQuHt
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 30, 2020
Milwaukee made 29 of their 51 attempts from beyond the arc, shooting 57 percent in their 144-97 win over the Miami Heat.
“It’s exciting,” Merrill told reporters after the game. “To be in the right place at the right time to make the shot. The way we shot it on Sunday night, we felt like we were going to have a great start tonight. Pretty crazy the way we shot it. It was a lot of fun to watch those guys play super well and then to be able to hit that shot.”
"It's exciting! Happy to be at the right place at the right time."@smerrill05 on being the one to break the record: pic.twitter.com/xOrLpF91st
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 30, 2020
The former Aggie and 60th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has appeared in four games this season. He didn’t score in his debut on December 23 against Boston. Merrill made two 3-pointers against Golden State on Christmas Day. Then he knocked down one three-pointer in each his last two games against New York and Miami on Tuesday night.
The Bucks played 13 players on Tuesday. 12 of them made at least one three-pointer. The only one who didn’t was the reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee was coming off of a 130-110 loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday where the team shot 7-of-38 from downtown.
The Bucks will have a rematch with the Heat in Miami on Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. MST on NBATV.
