CHICAGO – The Milwaukee Bucks demonstrated their resilience and depth by defeating the Chicago Bulls 112-91 on December 23, 2024, even without their star players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez led the charge for the Bucks, each scoring 21 points, as they secured their fifth victory in the last six games, improving their record to 16-12, and dealing the Bulls their 17th loss of the season, dropping them to 13-16.
Middleton, who was returning from injury, showcased his all-star form, particularly shining during pivotal moments of the game. Despite the absence of Antetokounmpo, who missed his second consecutive game due to back spasms, and Lillard, sidelined by illness, Milwaukee’s versatile roster stepped up significantly. Bobby Portis contributed with 19 points and 13 rebounds, solidifying his role as a reliable starter.
The game kicked off at United Center, where the Bucks quickly established control. They stormed out to a strong start, leading 33-17 after the first quarter. Lopez's offensive skills were on full display, driving inside and mixing his play with effective three-point shooting. Conversely, the Bulls struggled mightily from beyond the arc, missing 11 straight three-point attempts during the opening stages of the game.
Milwaukee capitalized on the Bulls’ shooting woes, with Middleton igniting the squad's scoring after the initial struggles. He tallied ten consecutive points, extending the Bucks' lead to 21 midway through the second quarter, but Chicago managed to narrow the gap slightly before halftime, entering the locker room down 59-45.
After the break, Milwaukee continued to assert its dominance, pushed by scoring runs and solid defense. Their strong perimeter shooting allowed them to reconstruct their lead, as they stretched it to 24 points at one stage of the fourth quarter. The statistical disparity between the teams was stark: Milwaukee finished the game with 45.8% shooting from three, compared to Chicago's disappointing 20.8%.
A key statistic highlighting the Bucks’ victory was their exceptional rebounding. Milwaukee’s defense stifled the Bulls, forcing them to settle for challenging shots and limiting their second-chance opportunities, contributing to Chicago’s offseason shooting struggles. The Bucks' ability to control the boards and convert on their numerous possessions proved to be the decisive factor in their triumph.
Despite the game’s outcome not being close by the final whistle, Chicago's Nikola Vučević made his mark, leading the Bulls with 17 points and 12 rebounds. His efforts were, unfortunately, overshadowed by his team's overall lack of cohesion on offense, particularly from their starters, which failed to match the Bucks’ intensity.
Head coach Doc Rivers expressed confidence about his team’s adaptive capabilities, acknowledging their determination to remain competitive regardless of injuries. Rivers reflected on the necessity for the remaining players to step up, emphasizing the collective effort across the roster, particularly the notable performances from Middleton and Lopez.
“He just had to feelbetter, and he didn’t, so we just sat him down,” Rivers stated, referring to Antetokounmpo's situation.
Chicago's strategy this season has dictated rapid three-point attempts, ranking second overall at 43.9 tries per game. Yet against Milwaukee, they resorted to uncomfortable possessions, especially during stretches of the game when their shots failed to find the mark. The intended high-scoring dynamic fell flat against the Bucks’ stifling defense.
The Bucks achieved success with increased ball movement, tallying 35 assists as they worked effectively as a cohesive unit. Milwaukee’s chemistry and defensive agility have improved significantly, and the team is currently enjoying positive momentum as they head forward through the season.
The upcoming schedule will test the Bucks' ability to maintain this success without Antetokounmpo and Lillard but also highlights their potential to galvanize effectively through their remaining core players. Milwaukee hopes to keep this momentum rolling as they continue to chase playoff positioning moving forward.
