3 takeaways from Milwaukee Bucks’ stellar Game 3 win over Chicago Bulls
By Dalton Sell
Bobby Portis provided a sizeable boost on both sides of the ball as he returned to the Milwaukee Bucks’ starting lineup in Game 3
With Khris Middleton sidelined, many wondered which player would move into the starting lineup for this crucial Game 3. When it was announced that Bobby Portis had earned the nod, some were skeptical of the decision, but the center quickly silenced those concerns as he gave the Bucks an IV of energy throughout this entire matchup.
Offensively, Portis was in a rhythm right from the opening tip as he scored eight points in the first quarter, having helped spark a big run by Milwaukee. The big man continued this scoring attack in the final three quarters, notably as he buried a buzzer-beating triple to end the third period and help grow the lead. In total, Portis finished with 18 points, which was tied for the second-most on the team, while shooting 7-of-14 from the floor, including 4-of-8 from deep, to provide a massive spark on the offensive side of the basketball.
In addition to his strong play offensively, Portis was fantastic in the rebounding department as he pulled down a game-high 16 boards in Game 3, having asserted himself on the glass. Rebounding had been somewhat of a problem for the Bucks throughout the previous two games, so it was an incredibly welcoming sight to see Milwaukee’s energizer do his part there. Defensively, Portis did his part to keep Williams in check while playing some solid all-around basketball.
In short, Bobby Portis was fantastic in his return to the starting lineup last night. Given just how much he looked at home with the other starters, he will likely stay right there for the time being, and if he continues playing like this, Portis could be a difference-maker in this series.