The Milwaukee Bucks started their three-game homestand with a win against the Chicago Bulls 131-115. Despite a scare in the third quarter, the Bucks held off the Bulls and coasted to the win in the fourth. Milwaukee won the season series against Chicago, taking the first three games of their four-game set. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.
Player Grades
Myles Turner
23 minutes, 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 5/10 FG, 2/3 3P, 3/4 FT, -7
He did pick up a couple of early fouls, but other than that, it was a good game for Turner. I’m interested in how he will be used if Giannis and KPJ come back, but I hope this time has shown the coaching staff there’s a lot more to use Turner in other than spot-up shooting.
Ryan Rollins
35 minutes, 21 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds, 8/12 FG, 5/8 3P, +9
What a game it was for Rollins. He hit a vital three-pointer to stem the tide that the Bulls were throwing the Bucks’ way. You can’t ask for much more from a player who gives you a 21-point and 10-assist double-double.
Kyle Kuzma
31 minutes, 31 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 12/22 FG, 3/5 3P, 4/7 FT, +18
Kuzma was aggressive from the jump, and it continued all night. He was solid on defense against Buzelis and White, and the offense was fantastic.
30 minutes, 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 5/9 3P, +3
It was a solid night for Dairy Bird, who helped Milwaukee with their initial run to take the lead against Chicago. It wasn’t all just catch-and-shoot threes for Green, as he continues to expand his three-point arsenal.
Amir Coffey
22 minutes, 2 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 1/3 FG, -17
Coffey got the nod in the starting lineup with Bobby Portis as a late scratch. He didn’t look good at all, and there’s a reason he’s typically a bench warmer when everyone is healthy.
Jericho Sims
21 minutes, 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4/6 FG, 1/2 FT, +29
After some rough performances, this was a much-needed game for Sims. He was active on the boards and aggressive in the right spots. The only true lowlight was him falling to the floor as Buzelis nailed a three (even if it might have been an offensive foul).
Cole Anthony
12 minutes, 4 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 2/3 FG, +12
These are the type of games they need to see from Anthony moving forward. He needs to play within himself and fill the box score with contributions beyond scoring.
Gary Trent Jr.
23 minutes, 15 points, 5/8 3P, +17
Out of everyone on the Bucks who needed a good shooting performance the most, it was Trent. He’s had a significant drop-off from last year, but he tied a season high in three-point makes with five. He’s only done that twice this season, once in the season opener against the Wizards and against the Heat back in November.
Pete Nance
27 minutes, 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 6/8 FG, 3/5 3P, +17
Keep giving this man more minutes. Nance showed off all his skills, especially his basketball IQ and shooting. There were times he was outmatched on defense, but he gave full effort all night.
Andre Jackson Jr.
12 minutes, 2 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1/2 FG, +3
Even with the Bucks missing five rotational players, Jackson continues to get the short end of the minutes. He looked ok during his time on the court, but unless there is a coaching change, I don’t see Jackson sticking in Milwaukee past this season.
Doc Rivers
It’s hard to give Doc much praise considering the Bucks finally made their shots. Yet, if Doc’s game plan was for them to attempt 38 threes, then I have to give him credit for it.
Garbage Time: Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Inactive: Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Gary Harris, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis Jr., Taurean Prince
Bonus Bucks Bits
We received injury updates before the game about a couple of Bucks guards. Kevin Porter Jr. is close to returning from his oblique injury, according to Doc Rivers. He could be back as early as today or as late as Friday against the Indiana Pacers.
Gary Harris, on the other hand, will be out for the next couple of games, and potentially longer.
This was the third career game in which Rollins has dished out 10 or more assists. He was asked about which area in his playmaking has improved the most after the game:
“I’m just making the right reads and getting down hill. Just letting the game develop for me and I’m not forcing things and forcing my shots too early.”
With the trade deadline just a day away, Kuzma was asked how he handles the distraction of it all:
“Me personally, I manage it because this is year nine and I’ve been in trade deadlines since I came into the NBA. My experince is a lot different from others, I’m going to go home after this and go to sleep. I sleep every night, I don’t think about it too much, but when you’re a younger player it’s a little bit different. If you’re a guy on the bench, it’s a lot different. We’re all human and you really can’t esacape it. You can’t escape the talks, you can’t escape because of the world we live in, but they pay us the big bucks. It doesn’t matter if you get traded the next day, whoop-de-do. It’s a buisness and we’re all like contractors and we move and play and it’s just how it goes.”
The Bucks set a new season best with 23 made three-pointers, shooting 60.5%. It’s the first time since December 5, 2023 that the Bucks have shot over 60% from deep.
Pete Nance also put up a season high 15 points, and was just two points shy of tying his career high in scoring.
Last night was the first game of a back-to-back at home. They will host the New Orleans Pelicans today with draft lottery implications on the line. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central and will be televised on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.