DeMar DeRozan’s Struggles Cost Bulls Golden Opportunity in Game 1 vs. Giannis, Bucks | Bleacher Report

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AP Photo/Morry Gash

Perhaps no team in the entire NBA playoffs had a tougher draw in the first round than the Chicago Bulls going up against the reigning-champion Milwaukee Bucks, but the visitors blew a golden opportunity to steal Game 1 on the road in Sunday’s 93-86 loss.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was brilliant as usual with 27 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a plus-minus of plus-19, but Chicago still held a lead with fewer than six minutes remaining because Giannis was in foul trouble and played just 34 minutes.

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Yet Chicago’s stars failed in the biggest moments.

While the Bulls came storming back from a 16-point deficit and had every opportunity to win in crunch time, they couldn’t overcome DeMar DeRozan shooting 6-of-25, Zach LaVine shooting 6-of-19 and Nikola Vucevic shooting 9-of-27 from the field. DeRozan missed shot after shot from his typical dominant mid-range spots, and Vucevic was ineffective at the rim far too many times.

It would be difficult to draw up a better chance to steal one on the road than the one Chicago had Sunday with Alex Caruso making plays on defense, Coby White providing a spark off the bench, Milwaukee’s role players struggling at times and Antetokounmpo limited because of fouls and substitution patterns.

However, the Bulls stars bricked their way to a Game 1 loss and will be under even more pressure in Wednesday’s Game 2.



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