The Bulls were to confirm their return to form after defeating Boston and therefore released a big performance to overcome the Bucks on their floor, this night, after a breathtaking meeting until the end.
Milwaukee raced in the lead in the first half, led by Brook Lopez from the start to quickly take the score to 16-7, until the DeRozan-LaVine-Green trio allowed Chicago to recover at the start. scoring (33-32).
The same scenario repeated itself in the second quarter, this time with the outside address of the Hill-Connaughton-Matthews triplet to increase to +12 (50-38). Chicago responded in the same way by relying on Coby White, Patrick Williams twice, and Nikola Vucevic to pick up before the break (62-61).
While the two teams remained back to back during the restart, the meeting suddenly changed when Giannis Antetokounmpo had to leave prematurely because of his fourth personal foul. Author of 18 points during the period, DeMar DeRozan then helped to pass a 14-4 to the locals (79-87) to end his festival with a 3-point buzzer in the third act (83-90).
But it took more to knock the Bucks down. After two baskets from Brook Lopez, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo who took matters into his own hands to bring his people back into the game, between his forceps finishes and his assists for Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen (95-95). The money-time was on, and the two teams made it a point of honor to go blow for blow!
Jevon Carter placed a super drive before seeing Giannis Antetokounmpo hit the mark at halfway to put the Bucks at +3 just over 90 seconds from the end (109-106). Not enough to destabilize Chicago so far. The Bulls managed to find Coby White open twice for two “clutch” baskets in the corners to put Chicago back in the lead (109-112).
A bad pass choice between Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo on throw-in complicated the situation for Milwaukee, especially when Nikola Vucevic drove the nail behind a 3-point basket against the panel (109-115). Chicago then left the Fiserv Forum with the victory (113-118).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A derby atmosphere. As is traditionally the case with games from Chicago to Milwaukee, the audience was divided with a large portion of fans having made the short trip from “Windy City”, about an hour and a half drive from the Bucks’ lair. In addition to giving a rather nice atmosphere compared to what we generally find in the NBA, these oppositions generally offer a good match, as was the case last night, with a duel that finally changed in the last minutes.
– A duo that we did not necessarily expect. While the ball tends to end up in the hands of DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine in such situations, the salvation ultimately came from Coby White and Nikola Vucevic, illustrating the quality of Billy Donovan’s roster. Milwaukee made a huge gamble by leaving Coby White open twice and paying a heavy price for it. Nikola Vucevic also took his shot in view of the way Milwaukee defended on him: triple bingo on arrival for the Bulls.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ DeMar DeRozan. A range of strikers to show in all basketball schools! More seriously, his third quarter was a demonstration of what DeMar DeRozan can do with the ball in hand, with variety but also efficiency (18 points, 7/9 shooting over the period). He even defended against Giannis Antetokounmpo, successfully at the end!
✅ Coby White. The man of this end of the match with these two “clutch” baskets sent from the two corners. He finished with his best line of stats this season in a win over Chicago. Interesting off the bench, as were his three other teammates Alex Caruso, Javonte Green and Andre Drummond, each in their own style.
✅ Brook Lopez. His role is important in the absence of Khris Middleton. Giannis Antetokounmpo needs to have a real lieutenant by his side, and between Jrue Holiday (14 points, 11 assists) and Brook Lopez, there was room to do something tonight. The pivot not only put his people on the right track, but he was also invaluable in important moments, such as when it was necessary to stop the bleeding at the end of the third quarter. If the overall performance of the Bucks was not enough, position 5 has little to be ashamed of.
✅⛔️ Giannis Antetokounmpo. Nothing really new with the “Greek Freak”, always willing, athletically above the rest, who still finishes with a big line of stats (36 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists), but who punctuated his match with his lot of waste, between his airballs, his forced passages and other not necessarily brilliant inspirations, as illustrated by his 8 lost balloons!
THE FOLLOWING
Milwaukee (12-5): the Bucks will be on deck Friday for the Cleveland reception (2:00 a.m.)
Chicago (8-10): the Bulls will always be on the road since they will be expected in Oklahoma City, also this Friday (02:00).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG2XfkvM9VI
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