Bulls May Have Pace, Shooting and Depth, But They Don’t Have Giannis
Thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 41 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, the Milwaukee Bucks not only gave the Chicago Bulls their second loss of the season but also reminded everyone what true star power looks like.
How the Game Unfolded
MILWAUKEE — The Bucks matched the Bulls in pace and scoring in Friday’s NBA Cup pool-play game. Both teams had been nearly identical offensively this season, with the Bulls averaging 120.4 points per game and the Bucks right behind them at 119.9. Yet one clear difference separated them — the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo’s Dominance
With a season-high 41 points, Antetokounmpo carried Milwaukee to a 126-110 victory. Nineteen of those points came in the fourth quarter, when he completely took over the game.
“He’s just a handful with the way he plays,” Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said. “I’ve got great respect for his motor, intensity, and the way he competes, but at a certain point, you’ve got to match force with force. He without question in the fourth quarter overwhelmed us.”
Bulls’ Defensive Struggles
It wasn’t just one Chicago defender who felt Antetokounmpo’s impact. Isaac Okoro started the game guarding him but quickly ran into foul trouble, forcing several Bulls big men to take turns.
“He just started going at us one-on-one, and when he sees space, he’s going to attack it,” Okoro said.
Final Score
The Bucks improved their Cup record with a commanding 126-110 win as the Bulls dropped to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in Cup play.
Author’s summary: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 41-point performance powered Milwaukee past Chicago, proving that superstar talent remains the ultimate difference-maker.