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Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen shines vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo?

By Andrew Miller

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 2: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts to a play during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 2, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 2: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts to a play during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 2, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Lauri Markkanen is heating up for the Chicago Bulls of late as he gets his shot to face superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Feb. 11.

At this point of the regular season for the Chicago Bulls, building up any sort of momentum in the win column would pretty much be all for naught. It was nice to see the Chicago Bulls put together a solid effort against the Brooklyn Nets in an impressive road win and show flashes against the Washington Wizards.

To prevent middling out in the Eastern Conference for the coming seasons, the Chicago Bulls need to build up a solid young roster with the potential of contending for a title run.

There’s a team on the slate for the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 11 that is a prime example of a franchise to learn from. The Milwaukee Bucks are set to travel to the Windy City to face the Chicago Bulls at the United Center to tip off the week for both teams.

However, a big time matchup to watch in this game will come between a rising star for the Bulls with second-year power forward Lauri Markkanen taking on the Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The focus for “The Greek Freak” might not be squarely on this game, but we also shouldn’t count him as the type of player to take a big opportunity to add to the win column lightly. If Giannis proved anything to us in his short NBA career thus far, it’s that he’ll do whatever it takes to make the proper strides in his development. That’s largely why he’s come this far this early in his career.

Markkanen is likely to be matched up against Giannis for a good portion of this Monday showdown. It’s not often that he’ll get to face a legitimate MVP contender out of the East at a time where he can truly take the time to learn and develop. This moment of the regular season for the Bulls is about starting to piece the long-term puzzle together and build to the future.

Giannis comes into this game averaging 27 points per game and 12.5 rebounds. He’s registered an insane player efficiency rating at 30 so far this season. Meanwhile, Markkanen enters this game with 18.4 points per game and 8.5 rebounds, still with respectable averages.

Next. 5 reasons Lauri Markkanen is the NBA's next superstar. dark

This game doesn’t look to be too promising for the Chicago Bulls in a battle against a top team from the conference with the Bucks. Milwaukee enters as an 11.5-point favorite, which is pretty steep considering it is a home game for the Bulls. But, this is still a great opportunity for Markkanen to prove something against one of the NBA’s best talents.

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