The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls 118-109 on Monday night at Fiserv Forum, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Bucks led for most of the first half, but it took a great third and fourth quarter to hold off the Bulls and improve to 6-4.
Chicago dropped to 4-7.
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 35 points and 11 rebounds to lead all scorers. In the fourth quarter, he scored 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting and 4 of 8 free throws.
“He was phenomenal the whole game and we needed him down the stretch and he kind of took things in his own hands,” said Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin. “Someone needs to make the plays down the stretch.” We became a little stale. We were sanding and watching, and we just had to keep executing, but he was able to put his head down and get to the hoop and free throw line, which is what you need down the stretch.”
Bobby Portis scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench. Milwaukee also had double-digit scorers in Khris Middleton (13), Damian Lillard (12), and Brook Lopez (11).
Nikola Vuevi led the way for Chicago with 26 points and 12 rebounds. DeMar DeRozan was restricted to 11 points on 3 of 14 shooting, while Zach LaVine contributed 20.
In Jae Crowder’s absence, Andre Jackson Jr. steps up.
Monday night began on a high note for Andre Jackson Jr., who received his NCAA championship ring from the University of Connecticut last season from Portis and Middleton. Jackson subsequently logged a season-high in minutes while Jae Crowder was sidelined for several months with adductor and stomach issues.
Jackson had a big impact on the game, like he did so often at UConn, by playing tough defense and making hustling plays that resulted to scores.
Jackson grabbed two straight offensive rebounds late in the third quarter, after the Bulls had rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to take a 68-67 lead. He then sank a floater and set a hard baseline screen, allowing Pat Connaughton to shoot an open three-pointer.
He was also playing solid defense on Bulls all-stars Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
The Bucks had suddenly gone on an 11-0 run and recovered the lead, which they would not lose.
“I think I can make an impact without scoring the basketball,” Jackson was quoted as saying. “I’m just screening and being in the right place to make room for the guys who need the ball.” On this team, if I’m on the court, I’m most likely the fifth scoring option, so I’m just going to do everything I can to get those other guys clean looks and follow up on their misses if they do miss and try to find another player.”
Jackson said his pregame ring ceremony hit him a little harder after the win
“It was weird,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it. I was a little taken aback. I didn’t get to experience the enthusiasm that I had hoped for. I was really focused on what we were about to accomplish just before the game, and I was like, yes, forget about it, we’re going to do that this year. It’s nice to look back on it now and enjoy it, as well as have recollections of all the times I had with teammates at UConn, reflect on those experiences, and attempt to duplicate that here. It was an unforgettable experience.”
Jae Crowder and Chris Livingston are both out with injuries for the Bucks.
Jae Crowder is out with a left groin injury.The organization stated that the Marquette University alumni will miss around eight weeks due to surgery on his left adductor and abdominal tears.
Chris Livingston is out with a sprained left ankle.On Saturday, the rookie appeared for around four minutes against Orlando. As he walked out of the arena, he was clearly limping.Griffin: He is receiving regular treatment and rehabilitation. Hopefully, this is only a temporary injury.