Chicago, Illinois ——- The third game after the All-Star break and the Bucks are now 1-2 after dropping this game in Chicago vs the Bulls. Neither team shot the ball well and offense was hard to come by, however the Bulls were in control since the beginning of the second quarter.
The Bucks are a different team after the trade deadline and it’s showing in their play on the court. They are still without last year’s rookie of the year Michael Carter – Williams, who is out with a “right foot strain.” The Bulls were without Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson but didn’t need them, because the night belonged to 2nd year player, Tony Snell.
Snell finished the night leading all scorers with 20 points, shooting 7/11 from the field. Kris Middleton led the Bucks with 17 points, shooting 8/19 from the field. Neither team shot the ball well as the Bulls were 35% from the field, while the Bucks were 33%. The Bucks led the Bulls once in the first quarter, but Chicago regained the lead and did not let up for the rest of the game.
Forward Ersan Illyasova returned to the starting lineup tonight, scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. He, along with Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo were the only Bucks to score in double figures as the Bulls bench outscored Milwaukee’s bench 40 to 18. Nikola Mirotic was part of their scoring output, scoring 16 and pulling down 14 boards.
“It’s not a hot shooting night for either team.” said Bucks head coach Jason Kidd, “We could not get it to go down for us. We had some great looks, guys were moving the ball, and making plays for one another. We just couldn’t put it in the basket.”
Kidd did recognized that there are adjustments his team has to make and mentioned that.
“When you look at the adjustments we have of Tyler Ennis and Jerryd Bayless at the point starting with that first group, and we’re waiting for Michael Carter Williams to get himself on the floor. It is going to take us some time to get the offense clicking. We did get some great looks, they just didn’t go down for us.”
The Bucks next game is on Wednesday night at home at the Bradley Center where Michael Carter – Williams is expected to face his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers.
“I’m trying to return next game.” said Carter – Williams.
On the other end of the court the Bulls are now 2-0 on their home stand and will face the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.