Bucks hammer Bulls despite two top scorers missing

Field Level Media|published: Mon 23rd December, 22:37 2024

Dec 23, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) shoots against Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez scored 21 points apiece and Bobby Portis had a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds to boost the visiting Milwaukee Bucks to a 112-91 win against the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Milwaukee won for the sixth time in seven games despite missing its top two scorers. Giannis Antetokounmpo (back spasms) and Damian Lillard (non-COVID illness) were out for the Bucks. AJ Johnson and Chris Livingston also were sidelined with non-COVID illnesses.

Gary Trent Jr. added 14 points and AJ Green chipped in 10 for the Bucks, who shot 46 percent while limiting Chicago to a 10-for-48 effort from long range.

The Bulls set a season low for points and 3-point percentage (20.8).

Nikola Vucevic notched a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds to pace the Bulls. Zach LaVine and Jalen Smith scored 14 points apiece while Patrick Williams (13) and Coby White (10) followed.

The Bucks led by as many as 25 but saw their lead whittled to single digits after allowing a 10-0 Bulls run midway through the third quarter. Williams contributed five points during the spurt, which brought Chicago within 76-68 with 4:24 left in the third.

The Bulls went cold after that, however, as Milwaukee responded with an 11-0 run while scoring 16 of the final 20 points of the quarter. Trent Jr. swished three treys over that span.

Ayo Dosunmu dished a game-high 11 assists for the Bulls. Portis had six assists for the Bucks.

Milwaukee shot just 42.9 percent in the first half but took a 59-45 lead into the break thanks in part to its edge from deep.

The Bucks shot 11-for-24 (45.8 percent) from 3-point range compared to 6-for-28 (21.4 percent) for the Bulls. Lopez led all scorers with 17 points at the half behind 3-for-5 accuracy from long range. Vucevic paced Chicago with 16 first-half points while Smith contributed 10 points in just seven minutes.

Josh Giddey (sprained right ankle) and Lonzo Ball (illness) missed the game for the Bulls.

Milwaukee is guaranteed at least a split of the four-game season series with Chicago. The teams are set to meet again on Saturday in Chicago.

--Field Level Media