After a misstep in Game 2 of their series against the Chicago Bulls, the Milwaukee Bucks have stopped taking their rivals lightly. The defending NBA champions prevailed decisively for the second straight time, this time by a score of 119-95 at the United Center on Sunday.
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The Bucks lead the series 3-1 and will try to send the Bulls on vacation on Wednesday at Fiserv Forum.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge for the visitors with a double-double of 32 points and 17 rebounds.
The “Greak Freek”, however, was able to count on the help of Grayson Allen, who showed amazing efficiency. With a conversion rate of over 80% from downtown and perimeter, Allen finished the game with 27 points.
Jrue Holiday (26 points) and Bobby Portis (14 points, 10 rebounds) also contributed to the Bucks’ success.
Despite solid performances by DeMar DeRozen (23 points), Patrick Williams (20 points and 10 rebounds) and Zach LaVine (24 points, 13 assists), the Bulls were handicapped by Nikola Vucevic’s lackluster evening (11 dots).
In addition, the formation of Chicago lost the services of Alex Caruso during the meeting, he who could be annoyed by a concussion, according to ESPN.
The Nuggets got hot
At the Ball Arena, Nikola Jokic had to outdo himself to allow the Denver Nuggets to avoid the sweep, they who won 126-121 against the Golden State Warriors.
Steph Curry’s team came to Denver with a knife between their teeth. At halftime, the favorites led 63-52, but couldn’t finish the job.
Unsurprisingly, the big culprit behind the Nuggets’ comeback was the 2020-21 NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic. He had a whopping 37 points and eight rebounds, helped by inspired performances from Monte Morris (24 points) and Aaron Gorden (21).
The Klay Thompson-Curry duo did everything to eliminate the Colorado team, totaling 32 and 33 points respectively. Veteran Draymond Green had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Californian formation will try to reach the next round on Wednesday, in front of its supporters in San Francisco.