Fresh off an 8-4 showing in February, the Milwaukee Bucks looked like a completely different team in their first game of March. Visiting the Chicago Bulls, the Bucks actually appeared in control for most of the outing, but things quickly turned sour in the second half. When the final buzzer rang, the Bucks were down by 23 points and walked off the court with a horrible loss.
Bulls manhandle the Bucks in second half, playoff hopes take a hit
The Milwaukee Bucks were up by 15 points at halftime. It looked like they were well on their way to a win to kick off the month. However, the Bulls had other plans. Despite not winning a game in the entire month of February, Chicago suddenly came to life on the first day of March and looked like the far superior team to close this one out.
Somehow, someway, the Bulls went on a 27-0 run. In the fourth quarter, the Bulls outscored the Bucks 33-8. That is not a typo. Milwaukee had eight points in the final 12 minutes. Unlike the Bucks, who lost control of the game through selfish play and poor effort, the Bulls, who trailed by as many as 16 points, rallied together and put together one of the best final frames in the NBA this season.
It wasn't just one player doing damage, either. Five players scored five or more points in the period, led by seven from Matas Buzelis. No matter who had the ball, the Bucks couldn't stop them, as the Bulls shot a blistering 14-of-22 (63.6 percent) from the field. On the other side of the ball, the Bucks shot just 2-of-21 (9.1 percent). Ouch.
Milwaukee's playoff odds sink further with latest loss
With the crushing loss, the Milwaukee Bucks are officially now three games out of the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference. Their odds of making even the Play-In Tournament, let alone the playoffs, are on life support. There is still a lot of basketball left in the regular season, but the Bucks need to get their stuff together while hoping Charlotte and Atlanta start falling apart.
Now, the one thing the Milwaukee Bucks do have going for them is that Giannis Antetokounmpo will likely return soon. Doc Rivers keeps saying that the Greek Freak is close. Reintegrating one of the top players in the world will certainly be a boost. When Giannis is playing, the Bucks will always have a chance to make some noise.
This team needs to string together a few wins before it's too late.
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