So much for homecourt advantage. The Chicago Bulls squandered a golden opportunity to close out their first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 at the United Center. Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose had off-nights, and they couldn’t contain the excellent Michael Carter-Williams. The Bulls must now make the short trip back to Milwaukee, where they last lost a heartbreaker in Game 4.
Can the Bulls finally take care of business – and the Bucks – at the Bradley Center? Read on as we preview this all-important Game 6.
On Tuesday, the Grizzlies will have another crack at ending the Blazers’ season, this time at the Grindhouse. Check out our preview of the Blazers vs. Grizzlies Game 5.
[sc:NBAArticles ]
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Game 6 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – April 18 – Milwaukee Bucks 91 at Chicago Bulls 103
Game 2 – April 20 – Milwaukee Bucks 82 at Chicago Bulls 91
Game 3 – April 23 – Chicago Bulls 113 at Milwaukee Bucks 106 (2OT)
Game 4 – April 25 – Chicago Bulls 90 at Milwaukee Bucks 92
Game 5 – April 27 – Milwaukee Bucks 94 at Chicago Bulls 88
Game 6 – April 30, TBD, Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks – view all NBA lines
Game 7* – May 2, TBD, Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
* if necessary
Betting on the Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls just couldn’t buy a basket in a closeout game on their home floor. The Bulls shot 34 percent from the floor and 18 percent from beyond the arc as they lost Game 5, 94-88.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The starting backcourt of Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler were particularly ice-cold. The two scored just 36 total points on a miserable 10-of-41 (24 percent) shooting. They had combined to average almost 50 points per game in the first four games.
After getting everyone’s hopes up with an MVP-like performance – 34 points, 5-of-9 from three, and eight assists – in Game 3, Rose has reverted back to the inefficient shell of his once-great self. In his last two games, Rose has 27 total points (on 30 percent shooting) and has committed more turnovers (14) than made field goals (10).
Butler’s poor shooting night feels more of an aberration. He had been averaging 28 points on 54 percent shooting in the first four games. He should bounce back to some extent in Game 6. And while Rose has performed poorly over the last couple of games, he’s still capable of that extra gear. If he comes out and plays like he did in Game 3, the Bulls should run out easy winners.
The Bulls are also capable of an extra gear defensively. They’ve already been very good, allowing the Bucks just 93.6 points per 100 possessions, well below the Warriors’ league-best regular season mark of 98.2. If the Bulls can avoid turning the ball over a whopping 28 times like in Game 4, they should be in relatively good shape on the road.
The under is 4-1 in the Bulls’ last five visits to Milwaukee.
The young Bucks are growing up. For the second-straight game, Milwaukee managed to slow down the much more experienced Bulls’ offense in the all-important fourth quarter to seal the close win. The Bucks held the Bulls to 4-of-16 shooting for 18 points in Game 5’s final frame.
Michael Carter-Williams did some growing up himself. The second-year point guard had an awesome game with 22 points (10-of-15 FGs), eight rebounds, nine assists and three steals to lead the Bucks offense. Meanwhile, the ever-dependable Khris Middleton added 21 points. He leads the team with 17.8 points per game in the series.
The Bucks’ defense has been their calling card all season long. They were second only to the Warriors in defensive efficiency during the regular season. Their small-ball lineup has given the Bulls fits in this series, forcing 91 turnovers through five games (18 per game). With a pumped up home crowd on hand, the young Bucks should be fully energized to dig in defensively.
Speaking of energy, the heavy minutes could finally take their toll on Chicago’s overused stars. Butler is averaging an insane 44 minutes through five games, while Rose is at 39 minutes. Look for the much fresher Carter-Williams to continue having success driving and penetrating against Chicago’s potentially exhausted first line of defense.
The Bucks are 3-0 against the spread in their last three home games against the Bulls.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bulls close out the series with a hard-fought 87-84 win.
