Rapid Recap: Bucks 106, Bulls 115

This is truly a sad Tuesday, as the Milwaukee Bucks again bungled a game against cross-state rivals the Chicago Bulls 106-115. Milwaukee carried a 31-22 advantage after one even with Giannis Antetokounmpo exiting the quarter early with two fouls. Chicago battled back to stake a 56-53 lead at half despite 18 points from Giannis. Another poor shooting half from deep against Chicago (3/13, 23.1%) and nine turnovers were major contributors to the early deficit. Sadly, the second half played out in the same depressing manner as Milwaukee’s last game against Chicago as they fell 115-106, unable to make stops at the end.

Hot team or not, losing twice to the Chicago Bulls, both at home, is pretty inexcusable. On paper, Chicago is massively less talented than Milwaukee at nearly every position. Getting waxed two times in a row by an inferior team is another event that could come back to haunt the Bucks come playoff grappling time too. Not to mention the fact this game is followed by a true gauntlet with Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Toronto (twice), Indiana (twice) and Washington. Milwaukee’s teeter-totter performances continue and the ensuing schedule leaves far less room for error.

Giannis was ailed by foul trouble for most of the evening, but still made his presence felt whenever he stepped on the court with 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough, although he was one of only three Bucks to finish with a positive plus-minus along with Tony Snell and John Henson.

Eric Bledsoe was a blur tonight, whizzing around and tallying 22 points, five rebounds and six assists in the process. The third member of their crew, Khris Middleton, chimed in with a paltry 16 points on just 5-18 shooting. Blech. Thankfully for our enjoyment’s sake, Malcolm Brogdon picked up some of the slack, going for 18 points on an efficient 7-11 from the floor.

For Chicago, Nikola Mirotic again picked apart Milwaukee, notching 24 points and eight rebounds for the game and hitting 4-8 from deep. He didn’t have a huge dancing partner for the game, but Chicago’s balanced attack helped them take down Milwaukee tonight. Four other Bulls hit double figures tonight, with Kris Dunn the high man at 20 points.

Stat that Stood Out

Coming into tonight, Milwaukee had just tied Dallas as the league leader in least turnovers per game at 13.1. True to franchise fashion though, they Bucksed that distinction away real quickly with tonight’s haphazard performance with 17 turnovers. Chicago meanwhile had just six on the evening and had 15 offensive rebounds compared to just four for Milwaukee. The turnover differential combined with the porous defensive rebounds led to 20 more shot attempts for Chicago.