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Milwaukee Bucks Grades and Reactions From 102-98 Loss to the Chicago Bulls

By Jeff Herrmann

Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) holds the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Mike Dunleavy (34) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) holds the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Mike Dunleavy (34) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite a career high 34 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo the Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Chicago Bulls, 102-98, losing the season series 3-1.

Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) holds the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Mike Dunleavy (34) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) holds the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Mike Dunleavy (34) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

So that’s what happens when a third of the M.A.P. is ripped out and sits for a night. Giannis Antetokounmpo goes off for a career high (34), Jabari Parker drops in a double-double (24/11), and the Milwaukee Bucks lose.

With Khris Middleton sitting out with an injury (his first missed game of the season) the Bucks relied on Giannis and Jabari to bury the Bulls already thin playoff hopes.

The two young Bucks combined for 58 points, lifting the team in both the first and third quarters, but in the end Jimmy Butler and the Bulls were just too much.

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Butler made six straight shots in the second half, providing the Bulls with important buckets each and every time the Bucks got within a shot of taking the lead.

On the other side of the ball Butler shut down Giannis–who had earlier reduced Mike Dunleavy and Nikola Mirotic to mincemeat. Until a deep three-pointer from Giannis in the game’s closing seconds, Butler held Giannis to zero points.

Despite losing the impact of Giannis’ offense the Bucks were able to hang with the Bulls thanks to clutch shots from Rashad Vaughn and Jabari Parker.

But in the end Jimmy “Buckets” was too much for the Bucks making every clutch shot, and finding open teammates when he wasn’t.

Bucks fans will lament the missed opportunity to really drive a stake into the heart of the Bulls season. They will also shake their heads at the fact that the Bulls won another season series against the Bucks, this time 3-1.

But I have good news, Bucks fans!

The loss brings the Bucks to within one game of seventh place in the lottery standings, and despite the win in Milwaukee, the Bulls are still 1.5 games out of the eighth seed with little chance of making the cut.

I hate losing to the Bulls just as much as any of the deer faithful, but when that loss directly benefits the Bucks lottery standings, sees Giannis score at will, and breathes just a tiny bit of life into a Bulls season that will certainly end in crushing disappointment? Yeah, I can shrug that off. And so should you.

Besides…Giannis and Jabari were a potent tag-team, again.

Read all about their dominance in our Milwaukee Bucks grades and reactions.

Next: Reactions: The Good

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