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5 NBA Playoff Observations For Chicago Bulls Game 4 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

By Dave Daniels

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The Chicago Bulls showed in Game 3 that they are ready for playoff basketball. Are the Milwaukee Bucks an elite team when it comes to overall talent? No, but they brought intensity to Friday night’s match that will only aid Chicago in the future.

Here are my thoughts moving forward in Game 4 for the Bulls.

1. Nikola Mirotic Can’t Come Back This Series

Here is why.

Zaza Pachulia is one dirty dude, and there is no need to throw Mirotic to the wolves on a tired knee. I do not doubt Nikola’s toughness. If anything, his will is one of the reasons I would not trust him to speak truthfully about his health. Head injuries and knee injuries are something you just do not play around with, and it would be best if they let Mirotic come back in the second round.

2. Derrick Rose’s Minutes Must Get Reduced

That was one big win, and I am not mad at Tom Thibodeau for riding Rose in a crucial Game 3. But there is no need to play Rose over 35 minutes for the rest of this series, because it is over. The only way I would play him more than that would be if the Bucks somehow got themselves to a close match in the fourth quarter of Game 6. Ride your bench Thibs, because you have one of the four most talented rosters in the league.

3. The Cleveland Cavaliers Should Be Worried

LeBron James and company have probably the best top three players of any team in the league, but the Bulls are by far the deeper squad. It will be interesting to see these two benches go after each other, and I am thinking that they will both sweep their respective series in Game 4.

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4. Taj Gibson Needs Some Run

This is another reason why it will be fine if Mirotic sits for a little while. This will only give Taj Gibson a chance to build some rhythm. He has been off at times this season, and the Bulls would be better off with a confident Gibson in their rotation.

5. Bulls Must Close By Game 5

They will be alright confidence-wise even if this thing gets to Game 5. If we are talking about Game 6 or Game 7, then that would be a whole different ball of wax. They have to save their players’ legs for what is to come, because the second round is not going to be a cake walk like this round has been for most teams.

Thanks for stopping by, and we will catch you soon with more thoughts about what looks like a Bulls-Cavs collision course in the Eastern Conference.

Next: NBA Playoffs Roundtable: How Far Will Bulls Advance?

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