The Chicago Bulls entered Friday night’s contest against the Milwaukee Bucks with the best record in the Eastern Conference.
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The Bulls left with a wake-up call and a 6-2 record following a 126-110 loss to the Bucks in front of 17,839 fans at Fiserv Stadium.
Chicago didn’t have an answer to defend Giannis Antetokounmpo, allowing the star center to score 41 points and grab 15 rebounds. He was one assist shy of a triple-double.
Giannis Antetokounmpo owned the Chicago Bulls
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives past Chicago Bulls forward E.J. Liddell (32) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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Isaac Okoro started off defending Giannis, but his early foul trouble led the Bulls to ask Nikola Vucevic and Matas Buzelis to handle the impossible assignment.
Buzelis struggled to neutralize the Giannis threat. Following the game, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan acknowledged that Giannis overwhelmed Chicago, especially in the fourth quarter when Milwaukee outscored the Bulls 41-30.
Donovan didn’t sugarcoat Buzelis’ defensive effort by offering a brutal assessment, calling Friday night a learning experience for the second-year forward. He wants to see more consistency from the 2024 first-round pick.
‘‘There’s been moments where he has a lot to learn, so to speak,’’ Donovan said to reporters after the game, via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. ‘‘I think the defensive assignments, when he gets his length and keeps himself between his man and the basket, he’s been good.
“I think the consistency of that is something he’s working through.”
The Chicago Bulls need Matas Buzelis to develop
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Buzelis had a strong night offensively, scoring 20 points. He added eight rebounds and three assists. His -2 on the court was tied with Patrick Williams for the best on the Bulls against the Bucks.
Donovan has seen growth from Buzelis and hopes he’ll get better before he faces Giannis later in the season.
‘‘Where he was a year ago today to where he is now is night and day,” Donovan said. “My hope is with the way he works and that mentality, that growth will continue.’’
Friday night was a humbling experience for the young team. Chicago will next travel to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) gets past Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) and to the basket during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
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