Bucks 124, Bulls 115: Grinding out a win without Middleton

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Milwaukee Bucks' 124-115 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night at Fiserv Forum had an awkward feeling to it.

Perhaps that was to be expected in the Bucks' first game since all-star guard Khris Middleton was diagnosed with a left thigh bruise that he suffered against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night and will keep him out 3-4 weeks.

Milwaukee's offense couldn't seem to find a rhythm without the sweet-shooting Middleton. The Bucks were able to overcome dreadful three-point marksmanship by drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line.

Perhaps the ugly game was just a result of a quirky schedule for the Bucks. The home game was sandwiched between a four-game road trip and three upcoming matchups away from home.

The Bucks might be without Middleton, but they still have Giannis Antetokounmpo. The reigning MVP transcended the sloppy play, finishing with 38 points and 15 rebounds.

BOX SCORE: Bucks 124, Bulls 115

Second-year guard Donte DiVincenzo got the first call to replace Middleton in the starting lineup.

"There are lots of different directions we can go," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game. "But I'm just excited to give Donte a chance and put him out there with that group, let him play with a lot of veterans.

"There are a lot of guys that have played together and won games and it's a good group for him to mix in with."

It was the first start of DiVincenzo's career. He did not attempt a shot in the first quarter.

After a rare three-day break between games, the Bucks weren't crisp to start on Thursday. They had six turnovers in the first period and allowed the Bulls to rip off a 13-0 run. Milwaukee also shot 3 for 11 on three-pointers.

But Antetokounmpo had nine points to help the Bucks face just a 32-30 deficit after the first quarter.

Bulls guard Coby White, a rookie from the University of North Carolina, got hot in the second quarter, pouring in 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting. He finished the first half with 19 points.

The Bulls were able to take a 66-65 lead into the locker room thanks to their 11 for 24 shooting on three-pointers. The Bucks were just 4 for 18 from behind the arc in the first half.

The Bucks were able to stay in the game by attacking the rim relentlessly. Antetokounmpo had 17 points at halftime. Eric Bledsoe added 12 while making all six of his shots. He also had seven assists.

The Bucks continued to misfire from long distance, missing their first 7 three-point attempts of the third quarter until Brook Lopez nailed one with 1:31 remaining.

Antetokounmpo and Bledsoe seemed to take it upon themselves to carry the Bucks' offense. Antetokounmpo scored six straight points for Milwaukee, including two thunderous dunks, to help the Bucks tie the game at 82-82 with 6:37 left in the third quarter.

That jump-started a run for the Bucks, who went into the fourth quarter with a 97-86 lead.

A layup by Antetokounmpo put the Bucks up, 106-100, at the 8:26 mark of the fourth quarter and gave the star 30 points. Antetokounmpo has reached that mark in six straight games, matching the franchise record set by Marques Johnson in 1978.

The Bulls kept hanging around in a fourth quarter that wasn't easy on the eyes with bad ball-handling, sloppy passes and fouls.

The Bucks couldn't breathe easily until Bledsoe hit back-to-back shots in the paint for a 121-114 lead with 1:15 remaining.

Bledsoe finished with 31 points and eight assists.

The Bucks shot 6 for 33 on three-pointers and also had 22 turnovers.

White had 26 points to lead the Bulls.