Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Game Highlights and Recap

The Chicago Bulls hosted the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center to tip off their preseason schedules on Monday night. Here’s some highlights and a quick game recap of the 93-91 thriller.

Next: Dwyane Wade asserting himself as veteran voice for Bulls

Preamble, it’s the preseason: The Chicago Bulls lost to the Milwaukee Bucks, 93-91, and it looked ugly.

Despite a failed fourth quarter comeback attempt, capped by Cristiano Felício missing the potential game-tying free throws with under five seconds left, a lot of summer concerns showed up. The Bulls starting unit cannot shoot, despite Dwyane Wade’s solid performance from deep. It was also evident this team hasn’t played together very much.

In Wade’s first game as a Bull, he was introduced as “from Chicago” to the United Center crowd. Jimmy Butler played hard as he always does, picking up multiple opponents well before half court. Rajon Rondo grabbed a few one-handed defensive rebounds and picked out teammates in the open floor.

The Bulls best 3-point shooters — Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott — took the shots they needed to take. The only problem was that only a few of them went in. The duo looked completely out of rhythm, and Mirotic looked like it was his first NBA game.

After getting off to an early lead, the game went south for the Bulls. Most of the contest resembled recreational league slop, highlighted by an endless array of turnovers. The Bulls had eight within the first 10 minutes of the game, and there were almost as many defensive miscues.

The overall theme of the night was disjointed play from top-to-bottom. Fred Hoiberg still has a few weeks and six more preseason games to figure out his rotation. But, after the first preseason game, it looks like the front court will be hard to lock in with so much inconsistency.

Nothing should shock Bulls fans after tonight’s loss. There is no need to worry just yet. The only real concern is Denzel Valentine’s ankle injury that he suffered in the third quarter.

Three Stars

1. Dwyane Wade – “From Chicago,” was all fans needed to hear for Wade to take home tonight’s honor. Wade didn’t see much of the floor, as expected, but he made some 3-point shots and seems ready to be the calming force a future first-ballot Hall of Famer should be.
2. Denzel Valentine – The Bulls first-round pick looked completely sure of himself. He didn’t fill up the stat sheet in limited minutes, but he looks ready to play right away, despite a sprained left ankle in the second half on Monday.
3.  The fans – If you sat through all four quarters, you are the real winner tonight.

Highlights

The first two baskets, from two of the newest Bulls.

Taj Gibson, being Taj Gibson.

Felício needs minutes this season.

Next Game

The Bulls head to Indianapolis to take on one of their Central Division rivals, the Indiana Pacers, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for Thursday, Oct. 6th, at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Paul George is ready to help take the Pacers, under new head coach Nate McMillan, back to elite status in the Eastern Conference, while former Bulls guard Aaron Brooks looks to impress in front of his new home fans, and take it to some of his former teammates.