Bulls Burn Bucks: Chicago’s High-Octane Offense Dominates

Coby White’s dazzling display of 35 points propelled the Chicago Bulls to a 133-122 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, casting a shadow over Milwaukee’s home opener on Friday night. Zach LaVine chipped in with an impressive 25 points, while Nikola Vucevic and Josh Giddey contributed 22 and 17 points respectively, reinforcing the Bulls’ offensive prowess. The Bulls’ sharpshooting from beyond the arc was noteworthy, with 21 successful attempts out of 47.

Antetokounmpo’s Herculean Effort Insufficient for Bucks

Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s standout performance, scoring 38 points, pulling down 11 rebounds, and distributing five assists, the Bucks fell short. Damian Lillard added 28 points to the Bucks’ total, but his shooting from deep was off the mark, with just 3 successful attempts from 12.

Chicago Seizes Control in Third Quarter

The game’s momentum swung decisively in favor of the Bulls during the third quarter. After a seesaw battle featuring five lead changes within the opening three minutes, the Bulls broke free from a 72-72 deadlock by stringing together seven consecutive points, a lead they never relinquished.

Bulls’ Key Takeaways

White’s performance was just shy of his career-best 37 points, which he achieved last season against Sacramento. Lonzo Ball was absent from the court, still recovering from multiple knee surgeries. He last played on January 14, 2022, but is expected to make his return in the Bulls’ home opener on Saturday.

Bucks’ Reflections

The Bucks’ defense showed signs of vulnerability, and their offensive support for Antetokounmpo and Lillard seemed lacking, particularly compared to their sharp performance in the 124-109 season-opening win against Philadelphia. Khris Middleton’s absence, due to recovery from surgeries to both ankles, was palpable.

Turning Point: Fourth Quarter

A.J. Green of the Bucks attempted to turn the tide with two 3-pointers in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, slicing the Bulls’ lead to a single point. However, Patrick Williams responded with a timely 3-pointer for the Bulls, igniting a 13-1 run from which the Bucks never recuperated.

Record-Breaking Three-Point Shooting

The Bulls’ 21 successful 3-point attempts were the highest since their franchise-record 25 against New Orleans on February 10, 2021.

Looking Ahead

The Bulls will host their home opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, while the Bucks will travel to Brooklyn on Sunday.