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It wasn’t pretty until the final stanza, but the Milwaukee Bucks can head to Paris with a seven-game winning streak in their pocket after dispatching the Chicago Bulls, 111-98. After one, the Bulls managed to keep it interesting and trailed just 30-23 with Milwaukee’s bench crew making a solid run late. The second period was one to forget for Bud’s team though, as they headed into halftime ahead only 53-52, despite shooting 63.9% from the field. The third brought a few more good fortunes Milwaukee’s way, as they got out ahead 84-77 as the fourth started. Giannis Antetokounmpo took over in the fourth quarter to finish off the Bulls.
Giannis Antetokounmpo may have crossed into triple-double territory in this one, but it certainly never felt like he found a proper rhythm against this Chicago team until later in the fourth quarter. Foul trouble, with three in the first half, coupled with tying his career-high in turnovers (8) led to an uneven game. And yet, even an uneven game for Giannis results in 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. We are blessed.
Khris Middleton was scarily efficient in this one, notching 24 points (on just 13 shots) to go along with six rebounds and assists. Kyle Korver added 12 points too on perfect 5-5 shooting.
Kris Dunn played well for the Bulls - shooting 6-12 for 15 points, but he was one of the precious few who had their stroke working in this one. Zach LaVine was just 7-19, Tomas Satoransky was only 3-11, Lauri Markkanen barely seemed like he was on the floor offensively with his eight points and 0-7 performance from deep. It was a horrific day all around shooting as they ended at just 37%.
Stat that Stood Out
Milwaukee matched their season-high for turnovers today, 23, which led to 24 points for the Chicago Bulls, and yet they still were able to win this game going away with it by the end. Couple that with going just 10-23 (43.5%) from the free throw line, which was their worst percentage from the stripe all season, and it’s pretty impressive the Bucks still took this one handily.