The prestigious posters follow and look alike for Chicago, once again dominated by a candidate for the title. Milwaukee, in this case, author of a superb fourth quarter (37-24) to overthrow his evening opponent, beaten for the fourth time in a row, after a “money-time” knife (118-112).
Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists), Jrue Holiday (26 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) and Khris Middleton (22 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists), the defending champions have thus makes their experience speak, in order to overcome the teammates of Zach LaVine (30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists), DeMar DeRozan (29 points, 5 assists) and Nikola Vucevic (19 points, 9 rebounds).
Especially since with this precious success, their third in a row, the Bucks take the opportunity to equal the record of the Bulls and even steal their 3rd place in the East, given this famous “tiebreaker” which is favorable to them for the moment. . Before their last two duels in the regular season, scheduled within a month…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Milwaukee bosses assured. As the playoffs approach, the Bucks’ key players clearly seem to be gaining momentum. Because, as against the Heat on Wednesday night, the defending champions relied on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday to defeat the Bulls tonight. In the ropes at the end of the third quarter, the “Big Three” got their ideas back in place from the start of the last act. Attack, defense; defense, attack. The good possessions followed one another and, the more the clock went by, the more the influence of Mike Budenholzer’s men on this match was confirmed…
— Chicago beaten again by a big. 0 wins, 13 losses. This is now the Bulls’ record against the top three teams in the East and against the top three teams in the West. If the injuries of certain players obviously do not help, it is especially necessary to insist on the fact that the franchise of Illinois accuses the blow when adversity goes up a notch. Still too tender in the hot moments, the men of Billy Donovan stumble in a rather problematic sector because, if they wish to go far in the playoffs, they will necessarily have to pass through a cador from the East. And, for the time being, their results are hardly reassuring…
— The whistles for Grayson Allen. At the origin of the injury of Alex Caruso for a very bad gesture, in January, the rear of the Bucks logically received an icy reception from the United Center. Booed when he entered the floor, booed at his introduction and booed at each of his ball shots, he was never left alone during the evening by the opposing public. We will also note the muscular defense proposed on him by Chicago, as when Derrick Jones Jr. allowed himself to elbow on the skull of the ex-Dukie, in the fourth quarter (causing a technical foul).
LES TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Zach LaVine. DeMar DeRozan very quickly in trouble with his shot (11/30 on shots), and incidentally well defended by his vis-à-vis, it was the other Bulls All-Star who showed the example this night. In the oven and in the mill despite his knee discomfort, Zach LaVine was thus the strong man of his team. Never hesitating to go into contact, on Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jrue Holiday, to score his points near the circle. A little more expensive by far (3/10 at 3-pts), the Chicago fullback nevertheless delivered a very clean and solid performance, in each compartment of the game. The only downside: this defeat conceded au finishobviously.
✅ Milwaukee’s Killer Instinct. We say it, or we repeat it, but the Bucks seem more than ever cut out for the playoffs. Even without Brook Lopez, who is however close to a return, the defending champions have this ability to press the “on / off” button as they see fit, or almost. Defensively and offensively, they very rarely panic and, when they have to raise their level of play so as not to lose, or rather not suffer any more, they do so without flinching. It’s all the more visible and impressive in the big posters, like against the Heat and now against the Bulls, this week…
⛔ Tristan Thompson. Quite a complicated evening for “TT”, exceptionally inserted in the starting five in order to be sent on a defensive mission against Giannis Antetokounmpo. Without too much surprise, the pivot of the Bulls accumulated the faults (five in total) and, despite all his good will, he was not able to really contain the “Greek Freak”, far too powerful for him. And his debauchery of energy in defense has also earned him to weigh in almost no sector of play (4 points, 3 rebounds), except in that of offensive rebounds, alongside Nikola Vucevic.
⛔ Milwaukee’s Third Quarter. It’s a constant of the Bucks’ season so far: their return from the locker room is almost always missed. And tonight’s match was no exception to the rule, as the defending champions were outscored 35-24 over the twelve minutes that followed half-time. Between lost balloons from the duo Giannis Antetokounmpo – Khris Middleton, lack of efficiency in attack and especially defense with absent subscribers, Mike Budenholzer’s men suffered martyrdom in front of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and company. Before recovering without further delay, of course.
THE FOLLOWING
Chicago (39-25) : trip to Philadelphia, on the night of Monday to Tuesday (01:00).
Milwaukee (39-25) : Phoenix reception, Sunday evening (9:30 p.m.).
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