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 Milwaukee led by as many as 18 points in Game 3 but squandered the
lead and later came up empty with chances to win in the final
seconds of both regulation and the first overtime. “We had a great
chance to win the game twice,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd told
reporters. “Effort was there the whole night, and guys played their
hearts out to give us a chance to win against a very elite team.”
The Chicago backcourt of Derrick Rose (34) and Jimmy Butler (24)
combined for 58 points in Game 3 and the Bulls knocked down 14
3-pointers – five from Rose and four apiece from Mike Dunleavy and
Tony Snell. Chicago center Joakim Noah is averaging 14 rebounds in
the series and power forward Pau Gasol (12.7 points, 14.3 rebounds)
has posted three straight double-doubles.
TV: 5:30 p.m. ET, TNT, CSN Chicago, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
ABOUT THE BULLS: The strong play of Rose has been the story of the
series as he scored his 34 points in a whopping 48 minutes in Game 3
to provide definitive proof that his knee woes are not an issue.
Rose is averaging 24 points and eight assists and Butler has also
stood out in each game by averaging 26.7 points in the series. “We
have a very strong backcourt right now,” Noah told reporters. “Both
(Jimmy) and Derrick, it’s very good and I’m happy to have them as
teammates. They’re competing hard and it’s making us that much
better.”
ABOUT THE BUCKS: Small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo shot just 25
percent from the field over the first two games before exploding for
25 points and 12 rebounds in Game 3. The 20-year-old nicknamed the
“Greek Freak” played 51 minutes in the contest and was much more
comfortable with the playoff stage than he was in the first two
games of the series. “I was trying to be aggressive and try to make
plays for my teammates,” Antetokounmpo told reporters. “I talked
with my teammates and they told me not to think, don’t take
second-guesses on the court because whenever you think on the court,
you’re dead.”
[to top of second column] |
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Dunleavy is 11-of-20 from 3-point range in the series and all his
points have come from behind the arc.
2. Milwaukee backup C John Henson had 15 points and 14 rebounds in
Game 3 and is 15-for-23 shooting in the series.
3. Chicago F Nikola Mirotic (knee, quadriceps) missed Game 3 and is
uncertain for Saturday’s contest.
PREDICTION: Bucks 102, Bulls 94
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