Brook Lopez scores 28, Bucks beat Bulls to clinch Central

Giannis Antetokounmpo did not dominate the way in which he normally does.

That did not cease the Bucks from clinching one more division championship and making it look straightforward within the course of.

Brook Lopez scored a season-high 28 factors and Milwaukee overcame a somewhat quiet efficiency from Antetokounmpo to safe its fourth straight Central Division title with a 127-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night time.

The defending NBA champion Bucks haven’t been on a run like this since Don Nelson’s groups gained seven consecutive division titles within the Nineteen Eighties. They took management early and got here away with a straightforward win regardless that DeMar DeRozan scored 40 for Chicago.

“It’s best to most likely take a fast minute simply to understand (it),” coach Mike Budenholzer stated. “Profitable something on this league is tough. We speak about it on a regular basis in movie classes and practices, how arduous it’s to win a sport. To win a division means one thing.”

Antetokounmpo, attempting to overhaul LeBron James and Joel Embiid in a decent race for his first scoring title, completed with 18 factors, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. However the two-time MVP began sluggish and spent many of the fourth quarter on the bench after choosing up his fifth foul.

Lopez had his greatest efficiency after lacking many of the season due to a again damage. Khris Middleton scored 19 factors.

“For me, it is simply persevering with to seek out that rhythm and get extra in sync with everybody,” stated Lopez, who missed 67 video games due to the damage. “Going on the market taking part in arduous, attempting to do what you may and form of pushing your self to the restrict — make your self work. So come playoff time you have got that confidence to go on the market and do no matter it is advisable to do.”

Grayson Allen and Bobby Portis added 13 factors apiece because the Bucks accomplished a four-game season sweep of the Bulls.

Chicago clinched its first playoff look since 2017 with Cleveland dropping to Orlando. The Bulls are sixth within the Japanese Convention, a sport behind Toronto with three to play.

“For us to make the leap that we made, to be able to have the ability to compete within the playoffs, is certainly nice,” DeRozan stated. “It offers us a possibility to additional our season and play for one thing larger.”

DeRozan did all he may to hold Chicago, with two-time All-Star Zach LaVine sidelined due to ongoing soreness in his left knee.

Patrick Williams added 18 factors. Nikola Vucevic struggled, going 3 of 19 and scoring seven factors. He did draw loud cheers when he knocked Allen to the ground early within the fourth quarter, delighting followers offended about Allen’s arduous foul earlier this season on Chicago’s Alex Caruso that resulted in a damaged wrist.

However the Bulls as soon as once more misplaced to an elite opponent. They’re a mixed 2-20 towards the highest 4 groups within the East and West.

Vucevic hit a nook 3-pointer for Chicago simply earlier than the halftime buzzer and DeRozan made a jumper within the opening seconds of the third to chop it to 58-48.

Milwaukee regrouped and pushed the result in 21, solely to have the Bulls get inside 10 once more late within the third. Two free throws by Antetokounmpo within the closing minute of the quarter and a 3 from the highest by Jrue Vacation made it 96-80 earlier than DeRozan hit jumper to chop the margin to 14 heading to the fourth.

TIP-INS

Bucks: Although Budenholzer took problem with Vucevic’s takedown, saying it “crossed a line,” Allen shrugged it off. “I believe he was attempting to make a play on the ball,” he stated. Vucevic, who obtained a dead-ball technical, insisted he was merely swiping on the ball and wasn’t attempting to ship a tough foul on Allen.

Bulls: PG Lonzo Ball skilled one other setback in his restoration from surgical procedure for a torn meniscus in his left knee, elevating extra doubt about whether or not he’ll play once more this season. Ball felt some discomfort after he tried to ramp up actions once more following a 10-day pause, coach Billy Donovan stated. Donovan stated the following step will most likely be a “assembly of the minds” within the subsequent day or two. And the potential of Ball lacking the rest of the season is “on the desk.” Ball has not performed since Jan. 14. … Donovan stated he did not essentially get the sense that LaVine might want to miss a bit of video games, although his standing for Wednesday’s matchup with Boston was in query.

UP NEXT

Bucks: Host the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

Bulls: Host the Celtics on Wednesday.