Victory counter unlocked by the Bulls. After their inaugural defeat on the Pelicans floor, Billy Donovan's men reacted in the most beautiful way by winning in Milwaukee (122-133). This success bears the mark of a great Coby White (35 points), who flirted with his career best.
Very skillful from afar, like his entire team (21/47, a record for them since 2021), the Chicago back was very well supported by the rest of the Bulls' major five. This was necessary to respond to a Giannis Antetokounmpo who was still untenable when attacking the circle, and a Damian Lillard, who was struggling with his 3-point shot but incisive at mid-distance.
But the Doc Rivers men will regret not having limited their opponents once they fell below 30 points in a quarter. Trailing by a small point at the break (64-63), the Bulls continued to punish when we gave them the opportunity to do so. This was particularly true in the third quarter, where Chicago distanced itself for the first time after a big pass from White (92-102).
With two winning baskets in a row, AJ Green then brought Milwaukee back into contact at the start of the fourth. But Patrick Williams, helped by a few men from the bench including Jalen Smith, allowed Chicago to breathe again, before Coby White punished again behind the arc. With a 13-point lead 8 minutes from time, the visitors, deprived of Lonzo Ball this evening, will no longer be really worried.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The Bulls' five at full throttle. If the two stars opposite shone a lot, Billy Donovan can be pleased with the distribution of points and shooting tickets among his holders. Coby White of course burst the screen with his big outside skill, but Zach LaVine accompanied him with a productive outing, while manager Josh Giddey was not far from imitating Nikola Vucevic by finishing with a double-double . The team's most mobilized player, Patrick Williams also exceeded the 10-point mark.
– The lack of rigor of the Bucks. We are talking here about defensive vigor, mainly. Because how many times have the locals scored a basket before being penalized just a few seconds later, on Chicago's restart balls? Far too many times, most often with Coby White as the punishment. We think of this action six minutes from the end of the match where Giannis had just converted on the throw line. The Bucks defense found itself disoriented on a double screen at the head of the racket, Damian Lillard wanted to help in the racket, dropping Coby White alone in the 3-point corner (109-121)…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
