In MVP mode, Giannis Antetokounmpo knocks out the Bulls

Holders of the NBA Cup titleThe Bucks did not miss entering the competition. Behind Giannis Antetokounmpo in MVP mode (41 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists), the Bucks dominated the Bulls, still attractive, but could not slow down the “Greek Freak” in the last quarter. Myles Turner (23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals) supported the “Greek freak” perfectly, while Matas Bouzelis was the only one in Chicago to reach 20 points.

However, Milwaukee got off to a rough start, missing its first five shots, while Matas Bouzelis made a series of easy baskets to get Chicago off to an 8-1 start. It wasn’t until AJ Green’s shot that the Bucks unlocked their counter basket. Despite this shaky start, Milwaukee’s defense limited the damage and Doc Rivers’ men got back to -2 after twelve minutes (25-23).

In the second quarter, Bobby Portis quickly gave the Bucks the lead with a game-winning shot, and the Bucks gradually regained their fluidity in the game. In the paint or from long range, or even on the offensive rebound, Turner is king and allows the Bucks to create the first small gap (51-43). But the Bulls resisted and under the leadership of Josh Giddy (16 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds), the author of the basket in the last second, returned to the locker room with a deficit (53-52).

Bulls fire when Giannis returns

After the break, the Bucks really decide to step it up. 18-2, still initiated by Giannis and Turner, allows them to create the first real gap (+12). It’s just that there is no continuity in their efforts, and the Bulls, like at the end of the first half, hold on and make it 7-0 to get back into the match. This time, it’s Bouzelis who scores in the last second with a great step-back triple to bring the Bulls to -5 (85-80).

Especially thanks to Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu, the Bulls eat their delay (98-95) and Doc Rivers takes a timeout. There are seven minutes left and he returns Gianis to the floor. And then, the “Greek Freak” gets really angry and everything happens: angry penetration, 3-pointer, alley-oop… In less than three minutes, the Bucks take a 14-point lead (115-101). The Bucks defense has been vocal and the Bulls are unable to put together a run. On the other hand, Giannis is unstoppable, and the Bucks end up winning by 16 points thanks to the last eight minutes of excellent quality.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Giannis is closing up shop. One pass away from an exceptional triple-double, Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated the last eight minutes of the game with 19 points! As we saw in the first half, the presence of Myles Turner is doing him the greatest good and the two are combining better and better in managing the space. Before this final quarter, we saw Giannis miss a dunk and then get tarred, but he saved the best for last.

Rejection is locked. If the Bucks allowed 8 offensive rebounds to the Bulls, half of them were in the first quarter. Then Myles Turner and his partners blocked the rebound from both sides of the court. The result: The Bucks finished the game with 14 offensive rebounds and the Bulls collapsed physically.

The Bucks love the NBA Cup. Among the unusual statistics, we highlight that the Bucks have not yet lost a group match in the NBA Cup. On Friday night, the trophy holders claimed their 9th straight win in this competition.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.