Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Preview of Season Game 4
The (39-21) Milwaukee Bucks take on the (28-31) Chicago Bulls Friday Night in downtown Chicago right off State Street at the United Center.
It is time to get back to “reality” for NBA fans. This game against the Bulls is coming after four awesome wins in a row. The games against the Hornets never really seemed in doubt and the Bucks are up in the clouds. This one might be a dose of reality because Milwaukee is on a back-to-back and they might play “tired”.
Speaking of “tired”, tip-off is a little later tonight for some reason: 9pm CST. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
The Bucks continue to get set up for the real thing anyway: the 2023-2024 NBA Championship.
This is the fourth time these teams have faced off against one another. The season series is 2-1 with the home team winning every time. The two teams might meet again in the playoffs, but it is highly unlikely.
Khris Middleton is out. We’ve been keeping tabs on him, injury-wise, since 2022.
Chicago recently really helped the Bucks by beating the Cavs in double overtime (132-123).
“Even the sun can shine on a dog’s behind” as the old saying goes.
Related: Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Best Bets: Player Props, Spread, Odds and Predictions for 3/1/24
Milwaukee Bucks Keys to Victory
Win the 4th Quarter
Sometimes you have to wonder if NBA teams can fall into “cahoots” with one another. This idea is basically: we will let you score if you let us score and then we’ll play ‘for real’ in the 4th quarter.
If that is the case, that bodes well for Milwaukee. Milwaukee is the best 4th quarter-scoring team in the NBA.
The Bucks average over 30.6 points in the 4th quarter, on the road, this year. (They also average 29.9 points per 4th quarter at home.) That is really good.
Damian Lillard deserves some credit here, even if it might be based-off reputation, it still seems to be helping.
Outscore the opponent in the second half
This is also a good statistical metric so far for this veteran team. Milwaukee is 2nd in the NBA so far in second-half scoring, averaging 60.6 points in the second half. They are only behind Indiana (61.8).
This key to victory also jives with the first; if you are going to win the third and fourth quarter it is going to be tough to lose the game.
For this game that seems to be the theme: score a bunch and play lock-down 4th quarter D.
The Opponent- The Bulls
What can we say about “Milwaukee South”?
Everybody is hurt for Chicago. Zach Lavine is out for the season; so is Patrick Williams. Torey Craig is also out. Lonzo Ball hasn’t played in forever and the word is that he can’t even run anymore.
However, this is a well-coached team. Billy Donovan has earned the respect of his players and of the franchise. He also coached OKC from 2015 to 2020. He favors a more “analytics” approach. For Donovan, the “distribution of touches” really matters to a team.
Coby White played well in Chicago’s OT win by scoring 23 points. He is having a good season.
DeMar DeRozan is a veteran star. He leads the team in scoring (22.9 points per game)
Ayo Dosunmu is a good young player for the Bulls. Thought of as more “defensive-minded” Ayo is shooting an impressive 66% from the field.
Related: Game One and Game Two Previews
Bobby Portis once played for the Bulls. They were foolish to let him go. He played out the 2019-2020 season with the Knicks, then came over to the Bucks.
Chicago has been playing two centers of late. And honestly, it has seemed to work at times. Both Andre Drummond and Nikola Vucevic start. Drummond has had a nice, little resurgence.
Coby White also starts now at point guard for Chicago.
Things to tell your buddies while you are watching the game
- The Chicago Bulls were 639-231 all-time with Michael Jordan. That amounts to a 69% winning percentage.
- Scottie Pippen was 603-253 all-time in games he played with the Bulls. He played for 17 seasons across his career. Pippen also played for the Rockets and for the Trailblazers. Jordan also played for the Washington Wizards. And the Chicago White Sox.
- It is always fun to think about the all-time greats. Who do you have in your all-time Bucks starting five?
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