MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bobby Portis had 27 factors and 13 rebounds, beginning rather than the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks wrapped up the highest seed within the NBA playoffs, beating the Chicago Bulls 105-92 on Wednesday night time.
Antetokounmpo was dominated out earlier than the sport due to proper knee soreness. He had 28 factors, 11 rebounds, 10 assists in opposition to Washington on Tuesday night time.
Brook Lopez had 26 factors, level guard Jrue Vacation added 20 factors, 15 assists and eight rebounds and Jevon Carter had 16 factors in a beginning function. Khris Middleton began for the Bucks, however performed simply eight minutes earlier than exiting with proper knee soreness. He was 0 for 3 from the ground.
Milwaukee improved to 58-22, preventing again from a 10-point, third-quarter deficit. The Bucks lead fellow Japanese Convention foe Boston by three video games with two video games remaining.
Jae Crowder and Wes Matthews mixed to harass Bulls ahead DeMar DeRozan all through the sport, with DeRozan ending with eight factors on 3-of-12 capturing.
Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 21 factors and 11 rebounds. Coby White added 14 factors, and Zach LaVine had 13.
The Bulls constructed a 61-51 lead early within the third quarter, however the Bucks responded with a 15-0 run, paced by six factors from Portis and 4 from Lopez.
The Bulls began the night time in tenth place within the East and already having clinched a play-in berth.
TIP-INS
Bulls: Guard Alex Caruso was dominated out with a left foot damage, an issue he has handled in latest weeks. Caruso performed 19 minutes and went scoreless in Chicago’s dwelling loss to Atlanta on Tuesday night time. “He doesn’t need to be a legal responsibility,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan stated.
Bucks: Pat Connaughton sprained his proper ankle within the first quarter Tuesday and was out Wednesday. “We’re hopeful it’s a really short-term factor,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer stated. “I’d put it within the comparatively constructive bucket.” … Grayson Allen (proper ankle sprain) is out for the remainder of the regular-season, however Budenholzer stays hopeful the guard will likely be prepared for the primary spherical of the playoffs which open April 15.
UP NEXT
Bulls: At Dallas on Friday night time.
Bucks: Host Memphis on Friday night time.