1. Move Away From Isolation in Crunch Time
The Bulls’ offense is very predictable when DeRozan is dribbling the shot clock down and taking contested mid-range shots. That was the theme of Game 1 crunch time. If that becomes a theme for the Bulls, they will get swept.
The Bucks are an elite defensive team with multiple high-quality defenders, on and off ball. They have the length to bother both LaVine and DeRozan’s jump shots as well as the lateral quickness to defend them on the dribble. Jrue Holiday, in particular, was able to lock up each of the stars in iso play.
Numbers from the Bulls when defended by Jrue Holiday in Game 1:
— Dalton Sell (@sell_dalton) April 18, 2022
• Zach LaVine: 9 points on 3-of-9 shooting
• Nikola Vucevic: 2 points on 1-of-7 shooting
• DeMar DeRozan: 4 points on 2-of-6 shooting pic.twitter.com/1bIbbKzDB0
To beat Milwaukee, the ball will have to move … and move quickly. Once the ball sticks in one person’s hands, the Bucks’ length is able to get settled, ready to block or alter any shot at the rim.
When the ball moves, the defense has to move. Teams generally do not fare well in scramble situations when facing them frequently. The Bucks did a great job of forcing the Bulls into numerous scrambles in crunch time, with Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton hitting wide open jumpers out of them.
If Chicago is able to put Milwaukee in the same situation, whoever Lopez or Portis has to recover to guard will get an open shot or an easy drive.
In the case that the Bulls don’t force the Bucks into a scramble and continue with the isolation ball, the series will be over after Sunday.