The first meeting was particularly defensive and choppy. And the second of the same proverbs, even if it is pleasant to follow. Both teams played a very balanced match in the first quarter.
The Bulls showed a more offensive and effective face, with the DeMar DeRozan – Zach LaVine – Nikola Vucevic trio in great shape. On the other hand, Giannis Antikonmo is doing what he can, but the defending champion suffers from waste in his match and leads 14 points in the first half (49-63).
The recovery is getting worse and the gap rises to 18 points. Admittedly, Chris Middleton is better in the match, after his first missed period, but the dollars aren’t able to speed up. The “Greek whim” exhausted the Bulls’ defense with his blunder, but even after 15-2 at the end of the third quarter, Milwaukee still trailed (80-87).
In the final chapter, DeMar DeRozan takes care of everything. He ties baskets from a middle distance, then is accompanied by Zach Lavigne and the others at key moments. Chicago resists and swallows two consecutive offensive times in the last seconds and finally wins 110-114.
What to remember
The balance of power in Chicago. Obviously we’ll only be talking about DeMar DeRozan, for good reason, but the full-back was backed by a more effective group as well. Zach Lavigne and Nikola Vucevich had their chance to shine when Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams were invaluable. The back carried the ball a lot at times, but the bulls never forgot to spin the ball. They were decisive and some important balls were scored after good passes, to provide very open shots.
– Lots of rubbish in pax game. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s numerous fouls have allowed the Bucks to stay in the game, but they also symbolize the difficulties in setting the pace, in restricting the baskets. Too many loose balls (10 in the first half), too slow movement, with too many dribbling, or rushing shots. As in Game 1, the bulls managed to break the machine, this time keeping their gaps.
Khris Middleton injured. Big concern for the Bucks since the All-Star player twisted his left knee at the start of the fourth quarter. Mike Budenholzer confirmed he has suffered at least one sprain, and an MRI taken on Thursday will reveal more about the severity of his injury.
tops/swings
✅ Demar DeRozan. Clearly, with 41 points at 16/31 to shoot, Chicago’s rear was on fire. All defenders, even Antetokounmpo, tried to block him from a middle distance, but it is impossible to slow him down. In the last seconds, it was he who scored two goals, after two consecutive offensive wears, to prove the victory of Chicago. This is a record for him in the playoffs, achieved in a high-level match.
✅ Giannis Anticonmo. The Greek played with 33 points, 18 rebounds and 9 assists. He harassed the defense, an elbow to enforce his physical strength and made several passes on the free throw line. Present in defense and rebound, he doesn’t have much to day himself because of that part.
⛔ Chris Middleton. The winger missed his start to the match, with the first half held steady (three points). In the third quarter, he was much better and the good run for Milwaukee coincides with his run. Except that after he left his partners, he injured the knee.
⛔ pax seat. With a total of 8 points, he did not weigh the defending champion’s substitutions. Soon, Bobby Portes was shot in the face, joined in the locker room, when Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton put nothing (2/10 on filming, in between). Then again, Mike Budenholzer needs to get more off the bench, to support the 2019 and 2020 MVP and flex the Bulls, and it didn’t help him much off the bench either.
the following
The third game: In Chicago, Friday, April 22 (2:30 a.m., from Friday night to Saturday in France).
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