Feb 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Tony Snell (20) celebrates with guard Derrick Rose (1) after a shot against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half during the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
It should be unsurprising that the Milwaukee Buck’s offense has struggled without their top scorer, Brandon Knight. But this? The Bucks bumbled, missed shots, got out-rebounded, and generally looked completely out of sorts while losing to the Chicago Bulls Monday night in the United Center 87-71.
After losing to Atlanta on Sunday afternoon because of poor rebounding and turnovers, the Bucks looked to correct those problems early against the Bulls. They did well for about eight minutes, but a 9-0 Chicago Bulls run late in the first quarter gave the Bulls a 21-12 advantage. Chicago never looked back.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo forced to the bench with two first quarter fouls, the Bull’s length commanded the Bucks. The Bucks were out-rebounded 37-17 in the first half alone, including 11-1 on offensive rebounds, as the Bucks struggled to score the ball offensively.
Chicago’s Tony Snell had no such struggles, scoring eighteen of his twenty points before halftime. Pau Gasol continued his streak of ravaging the Bucks scoring fifteen points with ten rebounds.
The Bucks were led by Ersan Ilyasova who returned to the starting lineup for the first time since his injury–he scored fifteen points with eleven rebounds including three three pointers. Jerryd Bayless filled up the stat sheet with all around production, but was unable to lead the Buck’s offense to consistent scoring.
On a night like this when the Bucks got beaten so badly, it might be easy to look back at the trade with lustful eyes. But don’t get sucked into that line of thinking. Michael Carter-Williams has yet to see the court for the Bucks and the Bulls are one of the league’s better teams.
Would have you liked to see a better effort from the Bucks? Of course. But Brandon Knight wouldn’t have saved the Bucks from losing this game. A dominant center and Brandon Knight? Maybe. Perhaps things will turn around once Carter-Williams starts getting minutes. The Bucks still have a future, and they are still positioned to own it…don’t worry.
Check out the rest of our reactions and Milwaukee Bucks grades while waiting for that future.
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