GAME NIGHT FROM MILWAUKEE.
Bulls: (4-7, 2-4 on the road) at Milwaukee (7-3, 2-1 at home).
TV: NBCSC: Neil Funk and Stacey King. 7PM RADIO: 670 The Score. Chuck Swirsky, Bill Wennington and Mike Esposito. 6:45 pre.
LEADING SCORERS: Bulls: LaVine: 20ppg. Bucks: Antetokounmpo: 29ppg. LEADING REBOUNDERS: Bulls: Carter: 9 per. Bucks: Antetokounmpo: 14 per. LEADING ASSISTS: Bulls: Bulls: LaVine: 4 per. Bucks: Antetokounmpo: 6 per.
CCI PREVIEW: Fresh off the "Coby White Game" the Bulls face a much stiffer test tonight in Milwaukee. Despite the loss of Khris Middleton (thigh), the Bucks have a deep roster. Head Coach Mike Budenholzer will be tested on rearranging lineups and matchups as the Bucks boast a 7-3 record.
The Bucks tenacity on both ends of the floor begins and ends with the reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo. I cannot limit the amount of superlatives I have for this player. He is simply magnificent. I can give you a boatload of stats about his individual play but I prefer to discuss the sheer joy he has for the sport. He plays with passion, intensity, enthusiasm and is locked in 24-7. I love his competitive fire. He has scored 30 or more points in five straight games and his motor is never off. He is a remarkable, generational player. The Bulls are up to the task anchored by Wendell Carter Jr who must stay out of foul trouble tonight. Look for Head Coach Jim Boylen to utilize "small ball" again with his three guard unit that played well against the Knicks.
The Bucks feature a boat load of veterans ranging from the Lopez brothers to Kyle Korver to Eric Bledsoe, etc. If the Bucks are healthy in mid April they will be among the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals. Without Middleton, the Bucks are going to struggle finding a night in-night out scorer that can match what he brings daily, all the more reason for the Bucks to rely on their depth until his return.
Milwaukee leads the NBA in scoring at nearly 120 points per game. The Bucks love to shoot the three ball averaging 42 attempts per game, second to Houston. Milwaukee leads the NBA in rebounding at 51 per game.
Otto Porter Jr. will miss his third straight game with a left foot injury. Zach LaVine is probable with an ankle issue.
I can't begin to tell you how many people texted or call me on Wednesday regarding White's three ball barrage against the Knicks. Coby is a confident but humble young man and has an extremely bright future. The beauty of the NBA and calling games on a nightly basis is to see the highs and lows of a player who ultimately develops in to a consistent plus player. I'm excited to follow his journey as I am with a number of these young Bulls.
CCI 24 SECONDS NBA NEWS AND NOTES:
Boston 140 Washington 133. The Celtics ran their record to 9-1. Kemba Walker with a 25-5-5 performance. Bradley Beal was amazing in a losing cause with a 44-5-6 game. The Celtics have not lost since the season opener at Philadelphia.
Houston 102 Los Angeles Clippers 93. James Harden scored 47 points. For LAC, Kawhi Leonard did play. Paul George did not. Leonard had 26 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. The Rockets have won five straight.
Minnesota 129 San Antonio 114. Andrew Wiggins continues his early season scoring explosion nailing 12 of 23 from the field, scoring 30 points. KAT with 28-11. The Spurs dropped to 5-6.
Los Angeles Lakers 120 Golden State 94. Anthony Davis missed the game resting his ailing shoulder. The Lakers improved to 9-2. The Warriors, 2-10.
Toronto 114 Portland 106. Pascal Siakam and Fred Van Vleet combined for 66 points. Don't sleep on the Raptors. They're banged up but remain a tremendous defensive team. Toronto held Damian Lillard to nine points snapping his double figure scoring streak at 230 games. The Blazers dropped to 1-4 at home.They hit the road for six games in ten days.
Orlando 112 Philadelphia 97. Orlando's Nikola Vucevic with a 25-12 game. Philly's Joel Embiid sat out with a sore knee.
Memphis 119 Charlotte 117. Ja Morant‘s drive to the rim with less than one second left won it for the Grizzlies in Charlotte... Memphis won at San Antonio two nights ago. Morant is the real deal, he's a fun player to watch.
The Nets say Kyrie Irving is questionable for tonight's game at Denver with a "right shoulder impingement." The Nets play in Chicago Saturday.
Thanks for reading CCI. Reach out: cswirsky@bulls.com or Twitter @ctsbulls