NEWSLETTER
The Milwaukee Bucks are the best team in the NBA and the Chicago Bulls, uh, well, aren’t.
The three other times these two teams met this season, things were oddly close throughout most of the game. And tonight was no different, as the Bulls walked into the locker room down only 53-52.
Milwaukee may have scored effortlessly, but the Bulls kept up with a solid offensive performance of their own. Then, the dreaded second half hit, and the Bulls fell out of rhythm. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Bulls had taken a season-high 48 3-point attempts …. shooting just 29.2 percent. Meanwhile, the Bucks finished the night shooting 57.7 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from downtown.
Now, I would never expect the Bulls to win this game, but their continued struggle to carry over any momentum into the second half is a concerning and annoying problem. Yes, the opposing team likely kicks into high gear in the second half, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that specifically the 3rd quarter is the Bulls worst statistical quarter by far.
Bulls net rating by quarter (not including this game):
The quarter after Jim Boylen has to most time to talk to his team is when the team tends to struggle the most. Again, I know other factors might play a role in this, but this team comes out with poor adjustments and lackluster discipline night in and night out.
Bulls down 53-52 to Bucks at the half.
I wish I trusted this coaching staff enough to motivate these players and make the right adjustments to come out strong.
Instead, in close games, I always worry this break hurts the team more than it helps them.
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 20, 2020
Anyway, thank goodness for an early game! Now, the rest of us can enjoy the rest of our night and watch The Bachelor (if you’re into that kind of thing). Talk to you tomorrow!
