Week In Review: Bucks’ weaknesses exposed, still break even
Jan 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) shoots the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday, Jan. 10: Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
Saturday night was the second meeting between these division rivals, and the Bulls were once again without their star point guard Derrick Rose. It didn’t matter though, Chicago had Pau Gasol.
The Bulls defeated Milwaukee 95-87.
Someone forgot to tell Pau Gasol that he probably shouldn’t shoot the ball 30 times Saturday night. Gasol finished the night with a career-high 46 points, added 18 rebounds, and went 17-of-30 from the field.
Pau is just the latest skilled big man to expose Milwaukee down on the blocks. Milwaukee has shown time and time again they don’t have the individual talent to match up with these players, and they have been exposed each time. Granted they have managed to win games despite of this weakness, it is definitely something I have been worried about all year.
It’s tough to ask Zaza, Larry, or John to keep them in check because they’re not at that level yet, but Milwaukee can only win so many games while this continues to happen.
The problem Saturday night was foul trouble. Pau was able to get every big man and their mothers into foul trouble it seemed. Nothing worked, and it showed on the stat sheet.
The next highest scorer for the Bulls was Kirk Hinrich with 16 points. He was the only other Bull who scored double digits.
It was a rough night offensively for many Milwaukee players. Giannis only totaled four points in 26 minutes, Johnny O’Bryant only had two, and Zaza only had seven.
Brandon Knight led the way again with 20 points, five assists, and five rebounds but it was not enough. Saturday was Pau’s night.
The loss dropped Milwaukee to 20-19, but the team ended the week still in fifth place in the East.
The Bucks only have one game next week, and that because the team is traveling to London! They’ll be playing against the New York Knicks Thursday afternoon.
Next: Player Of The Week