NEWSLETTER
Grab a coffee. Wear some red. Keep a pillow close by to scream into just in case.
It’s time for a Sunday matinee!
Every single seat #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/tFkkoqhlBn
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 24, 2022
Game Info
Milwaukee Bucks (51-31) at Chicago Bulls (46-36) – 7:30 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV), ABC (TV), and 670 The Score (Radio)
Chicago Bulls
1. Alex Caruso
2. Zach LaVine
3. DeMar DeRozan
4. Patrick Williams
5. Nikola Vučević
Injury Report: Lonzo Ball OUT (knee), Matt Thomas OUT (leg)
Milwaukee Bucks
1. Jrue Holliday
2. Wesley Matthews
3. Bobby Portis
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Brook Lopez
Injury Report: George Hill OUT (abdominal), Khris Middleton OUT (knee)
Odds
The Bulls walk into tonight as +4.5 underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks at PointsBet Illinois Sportsbook and at the FanDuel Illinois Sportsbook. Click on either link to sign up and pick the Bulls to cover (… or pick the opposite, I guess …)!
All things considered, I’m a tiny bit surprised the spread didn’t drop further in the Bucks’ favor after Game 3. I guess Las Vegas likes the Bulls’ chances to keep it this one close.
What to Watch For …
• The United Center was as quiet as I’ve ever heard it during Friday’s blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, and let’s hope the Chicago Bulls’ All-Star took that personally. Indeed, this team is going to need a huge performance from the “Big 3” to get back in the win column this afternoon. DeRozan tallied only 11 points in Game 3, while LaVine and Vucevic each added just 15 and 19 points, respectively. Someone is going to have to set the tone early to remind Milwaukee what this Bulls offense is capable of, and part of me hopes that someone is Vucevic.
• The Bulls lacked even an ounce of creativity on Friday night, and I think feeding the offense through Vucevic down low can help force a bit more off-ball movement and cutting against this oversized Bucks defense. Not to mention, I think we all know that only good things tend to happen when Vucevic gets rolling, and it can prove particularly useful against a Bucks’ drop defense that offers plenty of space off pick-and-pops.
• The playoffs were going to be a bumpy road for 20-year-old Patrick Williams, but the Bulls can’t live with another performance like Game 3. The second-year forward went 0-9 from the field with just 4 rebounds. He did manage to grab a couple of steals and a block, but they simply must find a way to get the version of Williams that scored 10 points with 9 rebounds and 3 assists in Game 2. The more he’s involved (and the more aggressive he is on the glass in particular), the better this team will be on both ends.
• I swear if Grayson Allen leads the freakin’ Bucks in scoring again! The man who breaks wrists scored 22 points off the bench in an 8-12 shooting night from the field. He sank far too many open 3-point shots and blew by far too many defenders for uncontested layups. I understand the Bulls’ defense is focused on the bigs in this series, but you can’t let a role player like Allen kill you. And, if you are going to let him score in bunches, someone off the Bulls’ bench is going to have to at least counter. I’m looking at you, Coby White.
• More in here …
Can the Bulls Shake Off Game 3? Finding an Offensive Rhythm, A Noon Start Time, and Other Bulls Bulletshttps://t.co/YwecFXF8mW pic.twitter.com/itwaVccvCh
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) April 24, 2022
