Can the Bucks win their fourth game in their last five?
The Milwaukee Bucks are in the best stretch they have had all season, going 3-1 in their last four games, and they hope to boost that stretch even further as they host the Chicago Bulls for the second time this season. These I-94 rivals matched up in the Bucks’ second game of the season on Oct. 25 in Milwaukee, where the Bulls took a double-digit win, 133-122. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 38 points and eleven rebounds while Damian Lillard had 28, but the entire Bulls starting lineup hit double figures, led by Coby White’s 35 points. Zach LaVine also chipped in 25 as the Bulls hit 21 threes.
Where We’re At
The Bucks are playing better and it is finally translating into wins. After several close losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, the Bucks have taken advantage of a lighter schedule, taking down the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors, then were one horrible call from beating the Charlotte Hornets on the road. The best win of the season so far was on Monday, as Milwaukee downed the red-hot Houston Rockets, 101-100, with Damian Lillard coming up clutch again with a game-winning layup, set up by an inhuman block by Giannis. The Bucks’ defense has continued to improve, with them being listed fifteenth in defensive rating at 113.2, per Basketball Reference, and nineteenth according to Cleaning The Glass (filters out garbage time).
Chicago has had their typical inconsistent season up to this point. Despite sitting at 6-9 overall, with the fall-off of the Eastern Conference so far this season, they find themselves just one game out of the fifth seed and 2.5 games out of a top-four spot. Over their last six games they are 3-3, with wins over the Hawks, Knicks, and Pistons. They nearly beat the then-undefeated Cavs at home last Monday, getting within four with 1:14 to play, but a floater from Darius Garland with 23.1 on the clock salted away that one. Then they were within five points in Cleveland on Friday with just under four minutes, but they allowed the Cavaliers to outscore them 22-9 in the final 3:40 of the game. After getting blown out by the Rockets on Sunday, they responded with a solid win over the Detroit Pistons, in which Nikola Vucevic scored 29 points and grabbed twelve rebounds.
Injury Report
The Bucks’ injury report is getting smaller and smaller, with Damian Lillard, Bobby Portis, and AJ Green no longer having a designation. Giannis is listed as probable with his right patella tendinopathy, while Khris Middleton (ankle surgery) and Ryan Rollins (left shoulder instability) are out. AJ Johnson and Chris Livingston will also be unavailable as they are out on a G-League assignment.
Lonzo Ball continues to be hit by the injury bug, as he is out with a right wrist sprain, which could sideline him anywhere from two to six weeks. Patrick Williams is listed as questionable with foot soreness. E.J. Liddell, Adama Sanogo, and DJ Steward won’t be available as they are out on a G-League assignment as well.
Player To Watch
As much as I have come down on him, Nikola Vucevic is having a bounce-back season with the Bulls. After shooting below 30% from beyond the arc last season, “Vucci Mane” is shooting what would be a career-high 48.4% on 4.3 attempts per game. With Vuc rediscovering his touch from beyond the arc, it could provide troubles for the Bucks defensively with Brook Lopez having to stretch out to the perimeter, allowing driving lanes for Coby White and Zach LaVine. Vucevic had 22 points, 10 boards, and four assists in the Bulls’ win over Milwaukee back on Oct. 25.
How To Watch
ESPN and FanDuel Sports Wisconsin at 6:30 PM CST.
Playback Streaming
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