Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez scored 21 points each, with Bobby Portis contributing 19 points and 13 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks secured a 112-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday. The Bucks achieved this feat without star players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in the lineup.
Middleton displayed an impressive performance, setting a season high for the second consecutive game after his 18-point display in Saturday’s triumph over the Washington Wizards. The three-time All-Star had missed the initial 21 games of the season due to surgery on both ankles. Middleton and Lopez were instrumental in Milwaukee’s success, each sinking three of the team’s 18 3-pointers. Gary Trent Jr. also made his mark with four 3-pointers, finishing the game with 14 points.
Antetokounmpo sat out his second straight game due to back spasms, marking his fourth absence this season. Lillard missed his third consecutive game, this time due to a non-COVID related illness. The eight-time All-Star had previously been sidelined for two games due to a strained right calf. Nikola Vucevic put up 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls, who struggled from beyond the arc, making just 10 of 48 attempts in their second consecutive loss.
Key Moments:
The Bucks established a commanding 23-point lead in the second quarter and weathered a surge by the Bulls in the third. Chicago managed to reduce the deficit to 76-68, fuelled by a 10-0 run that saw Dalen Terry intercept a pass for a breakaway layup. However, Milwaukee responded with an 11-0 scoring run, highlighted by consecutive 3-pointers from Trent and a floater by Delon Wright, extending their lead to 87-68 with over two minutes left in the third quarter.
Key Stat:
Milwaukee excelled from long range, converting 11 of 24 3-point attempts in the first half, while Chicago struggled, going 6 for 28 from beyond the arc.
