Bulls Vs Bucks

The Chicago Bulls, enduring a tough stretch of three consecutive losses, are set to face the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on December 28 (December 29, Singapore time) in their second meeting within a six-day span. The matchup arrives at a pivotal moment for both teams, each navigating their own unique challenges during the 2024-25 NBA season.

Milwaukee’s recent visit to Chicago on December 23 resulted in a dominant 112-91 victory, even as the Bucks were missing their star players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton stepped up in their absence, with each contributing 21 points. Antetokounmpo, who currently leads the NBA in scoring with an impressive 32.7 points per game, was sidelined due to illness, while Lillard missed the game with a calf injury and was also battling illness. Despite these setbacks, the Bucks showcased their depth and defensive prowess, holding the Bulls to a mere 40 percent shooting from the field and a dismal 20.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The Bucks, however, faced a setback on December 26 when they lost 111-105 to the Brooklyn Nets, again without Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Lillard has now missed four consecutive games, and his availability remains uncertain as he continues to recover. Following the Brooklyn loss, Bobby Portis emphasized the team’s resilience, saying, “Ain’t no excuses. We lost, they won, we move on Saturday. Get a win (against Chicago), feel good, go into Indiana (and) the new year. That’s it.” Milwaukee’s schedule to close out 2024 includes their game against the Bulls and a December 31 contest at Indiana.

This season, the Bucks have experienced both peaks and valleys. They started with a challenging 2-8 record, including a six-game losing streak, but rebounded with a seven-game winning streak from November 18 to December 3. Despite Antetokounmpo’s scoring brilliance and Lillard’s solid contributions of 25.7 points and 7.5 assists per game, the Bucks find themselves only three games above .500. They sit in the middle-to-lower half of the league across several statistical categories, including scoring, where they average 112.5 points per game. This figure marks a notable decline of 6.5 points from their 2023-24 season average.

One area of improvement for Milwaukee has been their scoring defense. After allowing an average of 116.4 points per game last season, the Bucks have reduced that figure to 111.2 in 2024-25. Their defensive capabilities were on full display during their December 23 victory over the Bulls, where they limited Chicago to just 91 points and forced 15 turnovers. Milwaukee’s ability to lock down opponents could be a decisive factor as they aim to solidify their position in the standings heading into 2025.

On the other side, the Bulls have encountered significant struggles, particularly on the defensive end. Despite averaging 117.7 points per game—the sixth-highest mark in the NBA—Chicago has been unable to translate their offensive production into wins. Leading scorers Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White have been consistent contributors, averaging 22.3, 20.7, and 17.7 points per game, respectively. However, the team’s defensive shortcomings have left them five games below .500. Their current losing streak has been marked by lapses in crucial moments, most notably during their December 26 loss to Atlanta, where they conceded 141 points. The game was particularly disheartening for the Bulls, as they surrendered 50 points in the fourth quarter alone, squandering a 17-point lead.

LaVine, who delivered a season-high 37 points against Atlanta, expressed his frustration following the defeat. “We’re going to have to look at that and figure out what we need to do to weather the storm,” he said. “That just can’t happen. It’s unacceptable.” The Bulls’ defense has been a glaring weakness, allowing opponents to score an average of 121.8 points per game, the second-highest figure in the league. Addressing these defensive issues will be critical if they hope to reverse their fortunes.

Chicago may receive a boost with the potential return of Josh Giddey, a versatile swingman who has been sidelined for the past four games due to an ankle injury. Giddey, averaging 11.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and a team-high 6.9 assists per game, could provide much-needed support on both ends of the floor. Bulls coach Billy Donovan commented on Giddey’s progress, noting, “A lot is going to depend on how he responds (after a workout on December 26) and then probably get another one in (the next day).” Giddey’s availability could be a key factor as the Bulls look to end their losing streak and build momentum heading into the new year.

As the two teams prepare to clash, the contrasting dynamics between Milwaukee’s defensive resurgence and Chicago’s offensive firepower set the stage for an intriguing matchup. The Bucks will aim to replicate their defensive success from their previous meeting, while the Bulls will seek to capitalize on their scoring depth and address their defensive vulnerabilities. Both teams face mounting pressure to find consistency as they navigate the challenges of the season and strive to position themselves favorably in the competitive NBA landscape.