MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Bucks 112, Bulls 99: Finishing flurry seals the deal

Matt Velazquez
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

CHICAGO - The Milwaukee Bucks didn't trail at any point during the final three quarters on Monday night, but that doesn't mean they were really ever comfortable, either.

Every run that seemed to put them on the edge of breaking the game open was summarily answered with a spurt from the Chicago Bulls. That made for an interesting finish, when after the Bucks took their largest lead at 14 points with five minutes to go, the Bulls responded with an 11-0 run to get within a basket with just under three minutes to go.

But the Bucks weren't about to leave the United Center with their first set of consecutive losses this season.

Point guard Eric Bledsoe saved his best for last, releasing any tension with a personal 5-0 spurt with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws. A Khris Middleton steal led to a pair of free throws for Malcolm Brogdon then Bledsoe added another triple and Brook Lopez added an exclamation point to a 112-99 victory at the United Center with a slow-motion drive for a hammer dunk to cap a 12-0, game-deciding run.

BOX SCORE:Bucks 112, Bulls 99

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“They tried to get us with a spoiler alert today," said Bledsoe, who had 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. "We couldn’t let it happen, especially going into the (all-star) break. You know, these games are crucial games even though our record is what it is. These are crucial games we should win.”

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't a major offensive force during that final stretch — he did, however, record his third block of the night during that time — but he shouldered the load for much of the night.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket as Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (42) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Bulls and the Bucks at the United Center in Chicago on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/TNS)  ORG XMIT: 1267562

When the Bucks ran into offensive ruts at multiple junctures, Antetokounmpo was often the one to bail them out. He sliced through Chicago's defense for numerous dunks, layups and trips to the free-throw line on the way to 29 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including swishing 2 three-pointers in three tries.

In his 35 minutes, Antetokounmpo was a team-high plus-21 while collecting 17 rebounds and eight assists, tying him with Shaquille O'Neal for the most 25-point, 15 rebound, 5-assist games in a season (12) since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-'77, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

His impact was especially noticeable in the third quarter when after leading by just one at halftime, he helped the Bucks finally gain a bit of a cushion during a 15-4 run to open the third quarter. In that period alone, he scored 10 points, including entering late to help turn a one-point advantage into an eight-point margin heading into the fourth quarter as he hit Pat Connaughton for a layup, spun for a dunk of his own then popped in a layup to close the quarter.

“Offensively, I think we were closer to ourselves in the second half," coach Mike Budenholzer said. "Played with a little more pace, a little more purpose in the second half and I think it showed.”

Supplementing Antetokounmpo and Bledsoe's offensive performance were Brogdon and Middleton, who had 17 and 16 points, respectively. Lopez finished with seven points while shooting 1 of 8 from three-point range to round out the scoring in the starting unit, but his impact was more crucial and noticeable on the defensive end.

Lopez and Antetokounmpo together locked down the paint, each collecting three blocks. With those two patrolling by the rim, the Bulls shot just 21 of 54 in the paint.

“We were just trying to show bodies," Antetokounmpo said. "Coach wants us to protect the paint; the paint’s our home. That’s what me and Brook did tonight.”

Early in the game, though, it was Ersan Ilyasova who provided the most substantial lift as the Bucks got off to a slow start. He came off the bench and went on a personal 8-0 run to get Milwaukee's offense unstuck, popping a three-pointer, depositing a tip-in then adding another triple.

Ilyasova's contributions off the bench helped cut a five-point first-quarter deficit down to two and Antetokounmpo then did his part, securing and and-one to put Milwaukee ahead, 22-21, heading into the second quarter. Ilyasova finished with 12 points and the Bucks never trailed again.

“I think in the first half we’d be in big trouble without Ersan," Budenholzer said. "He really gave us a big boost off the bench.”