Milwaukee Bucks Grades and Reactions to 91-82 Game 2 Loss to the Chicago Bulls

Apr 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts to a foul call against the Chicago Bulls during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 92-81. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

No matter how well a team plays defensively, how aggressively they chase rebounds, or how well they take care of the ball–having the best player on the floor gives you the best chance to win. In game two of the Milwaukee Bucks versus Chicago Bulls first round match-up the best player on the floor was wearing a Bulls jersey. Jimmy Butler led all players with 31 points as the Bulls edged the Bucks 91-82.

There was a time during this game where you wondered if the teams would even score 31 points total.

Using sharp and effective defensive rotations the Bucks stymied the Bulls’ offense in the first quarter, forcing seven turnovers and allowing just eleven points.

That defensive intensity carried over into the second quarter as Jerryd Bayless keyed a four point surge giving the Bucks a 20-11 lead.

The Bulls wasted no time answering the bell, using a 9-0 run to tie the game at twenty with 8:22 left in the half. Things got chippy after that when John Henson got tangled up with Aaron Brooks.

Henson barreled into an unset Brooks and then stared menacingly at the Bulls guard which triggered Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah’s tempers. O.J. Mayo, never one to miss a good scuffle, got right in Butler’s face in defense of Henson.

The sequence resulted in technical fouls for Henson, Mayo, Butler, and Noah while establishing the physical, emotional tone that the game was played with.

That tone eventually led to Zaza Pachulia’s ejection after receiving technical fouls deep into the fourth quarter.

But no amount of emotion would have been able to contain Jimmy Butler, who took control of the game with 14 fourth quarter points. For those keeping track at home that’s the same number of points the Bucks mustered in the game’s final session. Butler 14, Bucks 14.

For the Bucks all you can do is tip your hat to a good player, play better perimeter defense, and keep Noah from grabbing nineteen rebounds. That, coupled with a similar effort Thursday and a noisy Bradley Center should result in a much better outcome for the Bucks.

Until then it’s Bulls 2, Bucks 0. We have your Milwaukee Bucks grades and reactions from the tough Game 2, 91-82 loss.

Next: Reactions: The Good