Milwaukee Bucks Grades From 92-90 Win Over Chicago Bulls

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Giannis, Pachulia, and Ilyasova didn’t play a single second in the fourth quarter. Carter-Williams played just twelve seconds. That’s four of five starters playing no to negligible minutes. Instead, Kidd went with the lineup of Bayless, Middleton, Mayo, Dudley, and Henson. Conventional wisdom says the Bucks’ bench can’t compete with the Bulls’ starters. Kidd’s wisdom says the Bucks’ bench can beat the world so long as their shots are going in. Cool call, Kidd.

The Bayless/Brooks scuffle happened right next to the Bucks’ bench. Not a single player left the bench. That can be credited to the Buck’s excellent coaching staff and brilliant presence of mind.

Speaking of presence of mind Jason Kidd was right in the referee’s face to call a timeout when Middleton came up with his huge steal with 1.3 seconds left in the game. Players, left to their own devices, are going to huck up a half court hail mary and pray for a miracle. That’s why sports have coaches. Kidd’s timeout and ensuing exploitation of Derrick Rose were the two biggest decisions of the game.

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