Rapid Recap: Bucks 126, Bulls 110
The Milwaukee Bucks started their NBA Cup title defense with a 126-110 victory over their I-94 rivals, the Chicago Bulls. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with an impressive 41 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. Myles Turner contributed 23 points, seven rebounds, and four steals.
For the Bulls, Matas Buzelis stood out as the only player scoring 20 or more points, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting. Josh Giddey added 16 points, 14 assists, and seven rebounds.
First Quarter Struggles and Bulls’ Early Lead
The Bucks had a rough start, missing their first five shots. Meanwhile, Buzelis was perfect on his initial layups, helping Chicago build an 8-1 lead with 8:55 remaining. Giannis's only point in that stretch came from a free throw, and AJ Green scored the Bucks' first field goal soon after.
Despite Chicago's strong start, the first quarter was not an offensive showcase, as both teams combined for just 48 points on 43.1% shooting (19/44). Chicago led by as many as eight points, but Milwaukee fought back with a 7-2 run in the last 2:37, cutting the deficit to two points at 25-23 going into the second quarter.
Game Flow and Player Impact
After a slow offensive first quarter, both teams began to find their rhythm, trading baskets in a competitive back-and-forth battle.
“Giannis’ 19-point fourth quarter keeps the Bucks unbeaten in NBA Cup play,” highlighting his dominant finish.
Giannis’s late surge was critical in maintaining the Bucks' undefeated status in this competition.
Author’s summary: Giannis’s late domination propelled the Bucks past a tough Bulls squad, establishing a confident start to their NBA Cup title defense.