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Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen streak continues vs. Giannis-less Bucks?

By Andrew Miller

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 11: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is pressured by Kris Dunn #32 (L) and Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 11, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 112-99. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 11: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is pressured by Kris Dunn #32 (L) and Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 11, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 112-99. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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With the Milwaukee Bucks missing its star player on Feb. 25, forward Lauri Markkanen and the Chicago Bulls could take full advantage.

In the last outing between the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks, second-year power forward Lauri Markkanen started off great in the first half and faded down the stretch in the final 24 minutes. That was largely thanks to the Bucks superstar forward, and All-Star captain, Giannis Antetokounmpo taking over the game in the second half.

All most fans of the Chicago Bulls can talk about lately as it relates to the team’s front court is the play of Markkanen. He’s putting on a show in the past few games, displaying that he could be an NBA All-Star next season. Markkanen is proving that his solid play in the Rising Stars Challenge two weekends ago was no fluke and that his improved play this year is also a mainstay.

What Markkanen is getting in this rematch between the Chicago Bulls and the Bucks is a shot at redemption after his second half letdown led to a 112-99 loss at home back on Feb. 11. The last time these two teams met was at the United Center in Chicago, IL.

In that Feb. 11 meeting that saw Giannis post 29 points and a whopping 17 rebounds in an eventual victory for his team, Markkanen kept pace only in the first half. Markkanen finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds. But, he only went 6-for-21 from the field and 1-for-7 from three-point range. It was a good thing that Markkanen was solid from the free-throw line in that game.

However, Markkanen took off since then mainly with his 35 point and 15 rebound outing in the 126-116 win over the Boston Celtics on Feb. 23. He shot 12-for-20 from the field and 8-for-9 from the line in that 10-point victory for the Bulls.

What could help Markkanen immensely in exacting his revenge on the Bucks is the fact that Giannis is set to miss this game due to a lingering knee injury, according to ESPN. Giannis was the game-changer for the Bucks in the Feb. 11 matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Having him out of the lineup here will put a lot of pressure on All-Star wing Khris Middleton.

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The Bulls will also be hoping for a solid effort out of upstart shooting guard Zach LaVine. In the win over the Celtics, LaVine was able to post a career-high 42 points. He’ll be a key piece if head coach Jim Boylen and the Bulls are looking to extend this three-game winning streak to four against the Bucks.

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