Bulls challenge bucks
On April 18, Beijing time, the Bucks sat at home with the Bulls to compete in the first round of G1 in the playoffs. The Bucks were last season's defending champion and are also seen as the biggest picks for winning this season. In this match, Lonzo Ball was sidelined due to injury.
Bucks vs Bulls
The Bucks led by eight points at halftime
In the first half, the Bucks, led by Alphabet Brother and Lopez, once took a 16-point lead. DeRozan led the team to chase the score, and after halftime, the Bucks led 51-43.
The Bulls trailed by eight points at halftime
Alphabet Brother 17+11 rampage, bucks lead bulls by 8 points! DeRozan was 4 of 12 and Lavin was 3 of 9!
Half-game review
In the first quarter, Lopez scored four points in a row, and Alphabet Brother singled DeRozan to score a layup, followed by a long-range shot, and the Bucks made a perfect 9-0 start. Vucevic scored from a distance, Middleton hit a single, DeRozan slammed into a high jumper, and Middleton and Lopez scored three more three-pointers. Alphabet brother scored a layup and then hit the inside to score, and the Bucks took a 13-point lead.
Alphabet brother attacks with the ball
DeRozan hit all two free throws, Matthews responded with a three-pointer, Lavin scored on the board, and the Bucks requested a timeout. Lopez and DeRozan clashed in the penalty area, Lopez and Holliday scored in the low position, LaVine scored a jumper, and Tristan Thompson scored a layup. Vucevic made 1 of 2 free throws, Portis scored a layup, then hit a long-range shot, and the Bucks extended the gap to 16 points. White scored from a distance, Juhordi dunked, and Vucevic hooked a shot. After the first quarter, the Bucks led 34-21.
In the second quarter, Vucevic threw a throw and scored, and the alphabet brother returned the dunk. DeRozan scored four straight points on a high jumper, and alphabet brother dunked, then was fouled, but missed 2 free throws. Williams scored a free throw, Carter hit a long-range shot and Caruso scored on a layup. Middleton scored on a jumper, Williams hit all 2 free throws and Portis made 1 of 2 free throws. DeRozan scored two free throws, Ravin scored five points on consecutive free throws, and the Bulls went on a 9-1 run to narrow the gap to five points.
Middleton
Alphabet brother scored on a back-up jumper, followed by 1 of 2 free throws, Vucevic blocked Lopez, alphabet brother continuously hit the inside line and failed to score, and the game entered a timeout. LaVine made 2 free throws, Connaughton made a long-range shot, Vucevic made 2 free throws, and Alphabet brother scored 1 goal. At halftime, the Bucks led 51-43.
Letter brother 17+11 rampage
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo played 18 minutes in the half, shooting 7-of-11 from the field, 1-of-2 from three-point range and 2-of-6 from the free throw line, with two-double-doubles of 17 points, 11 boards, 2 assists and 1 block. Alphabet Brother shot 64 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range. The alphabet brother who cut the highest score in the first half is still the rebounding king of the two teams.
Alphabet brother stormed
Alphabet Brother's singles in the penalty area are aggressive. At the same time, Brother Alphabet also guarded the forbidden area very well. The fury of the alphabet brother is the key to the Bucks' dominance on the court.
DeRozan was 4 of 12
Bulls star DeRozan played 21 minutes at halftime, shooting 4-of-12, 0-of-1 from three-point range and 4-of-4 from the free throw line, scoring 12 points, 4 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals. DeRozan shot 33 percent from the field and dribbled out three-pointers. DeRozan's inefficiency on the offensive end was the main reason the Bulls were once 16 points behind their opponents.
DeRozan
Lavin 9 out of 3
Bulls star Zaklavin played 22 minutes at halftime, shooting 3-of-9, 1-of-4 from three-point range and 4-of-4 from the free throw line, and had 11 points, 5 boards, 1 assist and 1 block. LaVine shot 33 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range. As a star player, LaVine shot only about 30% of the shots in the first half. Facing the Bucks' high-pressure defense, LaVine's lack of stability on the offensive end was exposed.
Zaklavan
Half-time stats for both teams
Bucks: Alphabet Brother 17 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block, Lopez 11 points, 2 rebounds, Portis 6 points and 6 rebounds, Middleton 4 points and 4 assists, Juhorday 4 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals, Matthews 3 points and 3 rebounds, Carter 3 points, Connaughton 3 points and 2 rebounds.
Bulls: DeRozan 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, LaVine 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block, Vucevic 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists, Pavey 3 points and 2 rebounds, White 3 points, Caruso 2 points and 3 rebounds, Tristan Thompson 2 points.