Bulls May Have Pace, Shooting and Depth, But They Don't Have Giannis
With 41 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a dominant 126-110 win over the Bulls, handing Chicago its second loss of the season and reminding them what true star power looks like.
Bucks Match Bulls in Speed and Scoring
The Bucks and Bulls entered their NBA Cup pool-play game moving at nearly the same pace this season. Milwaukee proved it could run and score with Chicago — the Bulls ranked seventh in the league with 120.4 points per game, while the Bucks trailed just behind at 119.9.
Giannis Sets the Difference
The deciding factor was simple: one team has Giannis Antetokounmpo. His season-high performance defined the game, with 19 of his 41 points coming in the fourth quarter as the Bucks surged to victory.
“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 you’re going to have to, at a certain point, match force with force. He without question in the fourth quarter overwhelmed us.”
Bulls Struggle to Contain Antetokounmpo
Several Bulls players took turns guarding Giannis after Isaac Okoro quickly got into foul trouble. Their efforts barely slowed him down.
“He just started going at us one-on-one, and when he sees space, he’s going to attack it,” Okoro said.
Summary
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 41-point explosion powered the Bucks past the Bulls, showing that elite scoring, not just depth and pace, determines who truly dominates.