Scouting report for Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls: Containing the 3-point line
An important aspect of this first-round series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls will take place from beyond the arc. Chicago has identified themselves as a top-tier 3-point shooting team this season, and Milwaukee will look to limit that strength of theirs despite having a poor reputation for defending the 3-ball under Budenholzer.
As a team, the Bulls are shooting 36.9 percent from three this season, which ranks fourth in the NBA. On the other side, the Bucks allow a league-worst 14.5 3-pointers per game, per NBA.com/stats.
Containing the 3-point line could be the toughest challenge for the Bucks in this series and throughout the playoffs. If the Bulls want any chance of competing in this matchup, they will have to take advantage of connecting from behind the arc.
Chicago has plenty of 3-point threats, led by Zach LaVine and valuable role players such as Coby White at 37.5 percent and rookie Ayo Dosunmu at 37.6 percent. Forward Patrick Williams has recently shown promise from 3-point land while Vucevic and DeRozan have the range too.
The Bucks have done a nice job limiting the Bulls offensively this season, especially from 3-point territory, but they’ll have to continue to be aware of that in the playoffs. Chicago has the capability of exploiting Milwaukee’s weakness, so containing the 3-point line for the Bucks will be an essential storyline throughout the series.
Defensive efficiency was the main ignitor toward the Bucks’ championship run last year and they must defend at an elite level once again, specifically on the perimeter if they’re going to repeat. It all starts with fighting over screens, switching and communicating efficiently, and working as a group to dissect the Bulls.