NLL | NBA | WNBA | NBA 2k19 | NLSC
Username :
Password:

NLL Insider - Bucks vs Bulls Series Preview

by KLEMMELO, updated on Saturday, April 22 2017, 02:59 pm EST

Milwaukee Bucks (2): 

A new super power out East that a lot of those in the league didn’t see coming quite this early, or at least not to this polarising extent. An already solid 52 win team has exploded and added another 14 wins to their total during this years efforts, which is hugely impressive. The break out years of KAT and the 
"Greek Freak” have fuelled this amazing run all season long as they head into the post season as a real threat for the chip being the hottest team in the league. 17 wins in a row… That’s right not a typo, 17 to close out the regular season. A run of which that equals the Cav’s efforts in weeks 10-13 as one of the most dominant stretches during the season over quality opponents. 

Chicago Bulls (7): 

The feel good story of the NLL completely turning the tables from the position they were in last season. From bottom dwelling playing for ping pong balls on the brink of blowing it up, too a winning record playing consistent and exciting basketball. Stuff like this is great for the league and it’s been surreal to see the Bulls go from winning 19 games last year and increasing that total to 42 mainly off the back of their franchise star point guards exploits. A fete only eclipsed but not to be diminished by what the Nets have done this year in a similar fashion.The GM and coaching staff should be proud for what they’ve been able to achieve. The Bulls will head into this series hungry and optimistic backed by a revitalised fan base. 

Big Outs:

The Bucks had sixth man of the year candidate in LaVine go down mid season with a torn ACL which seemed at the time a huge blow for them. That was quickly rectified when they brought in Sweet Lou Williams who is almost a carbon copy in terms of what LaVine was able to bring being bench scoring. It’s also now quite apparent that emerging young centre in Jusuf Nurkic; who has played all 82 games for the Bucks during the regular season will be sitting out indefinitely with a fractured right leg. Does KAT get unleashed at the centre position as the Bucks might just go a bit smaller to combat the run and gun style of the Bulls? 

Seth Curry and Kevin Looney are the only real major outs here. Both integral rotation players, Curry out for the season with a bad shoulder hurts them as veteran Price is the only real option they have off the bench to handle the ball other the maybe Crawford. Looney has been dealing with a nagging hip strain which may keep him out the first few contests as his status is game to game. The Bulls only option may be playing a shorter rotation and relying primarily on their stars to do the heavy lifting.

Keys to the game:

-The Bulls take care of the ball. In fact they’re second in the league with 8.1 a game which will be huge for them to have any chance in this series.

-They also lead the league in 3pm with 10.6 which is obvious to see why because it’s their main offensive identity and is built as such on purpose. Can they consistently score from the perimeter against this stout Bucks defence?

-Chicago are terrible on the glass… 22nd in the league in overall rebounding kind of terrible. Games are won and lost on the boards and with 39.2 a game compared to 50.2 of that of the Bucks it’s damning to say the least. 
Perhaps Nurkic out doesn’t allow this discrepancy to be such a factor. 

-The Bucks are top 3 in the league on both ends of the floor… Without bothering to elaborate its easy to understand why this is such an advantage.

-The PIP differential is +11.5 in the Bucks favour. Couple that with being one of the most potent offensive teams especially in transition with the ability to finish on the fast break and its going to be a nightmare match up for the Bulls.

Match ups:

Look to be honest the only real advantage the Bulls have is a guy called Steph Curry. They’ll rely a lot on Dirks ability to score from the four regardless of wether its KAT or anyone else matched up on him but the guys a huge liability defensively. Thabo will be critical in attempting to limit Giannis and they will have a few options to play with in Crawford and Buddy to try and squeeze some more offence out of this roster.

Bucks are just too complete up and down the roster and essentially have the Bulls number at every position. Sure Curry is great but he’s got his hands full with Westbrook. Too many multi faceted players able to impact the game on both ends of the floor. It will be interesting to see what adjustments are made with Nurkic out as you would think it would be silly not to take advantage of the miss match at the PF position with KAT against Dirk over a possible match up against Lopez who has been solid for the Bulls all year. 

Bench wise its an even clearer advantage to the Bucks with seasoned veterans rounding out the rotation in Williams, Young and Shumpert. The Bulls second unit will just have to hope to just be able to tread water enough to keep them in the game before the starters take over. 

Prediction: 

The Bulls offence is exciting and faced paced, while at times they are able to just stretch you out and blow you out of the water hitting from range and allowing their wings to penetrate. On the flip side its an inconsistent way to try and win ball games being a bit predictable and one dimensional. Smart defence would be able to limit perimeter shots and slow the game down where they just aren’t as effective in the half court. Thats exactly what the Bucks bring in athleticism and length being able to switch on defence and protect the paint. I see the Bulls being able to steal a game at home while firing on all cylinders and having both Curry and Dirk go off backed by an energetic home crowd… But after that i just can’t see them playing 48 minutes of elite level basketball against one of the best defensive teams in the league. The Bucks will always get their own so unless the Bulls can be constantly aggressive and maybe get some key Bucks players in foul trouble it will just be to much for them to overcome. 

Bucks in 5.

Archive

· T'wolves vs. Nuggets Series Preview

· Sixers vs. Wizards Series Preview

· Playoffs: Conf. Finals Schedule!

· Cavs vs. Celtics Series Preview

· Bucks vs Bulls Series Preview

· Spurs vs. Rockets Series Preview

· Knicks vs. Nets Series Preview

· Week 20: POTW and ROTW Announced!

· Thunder vs. Lakers Series Preview

· Kings vs Warriors Series Preview

 

 

 

© 2001-2019 nbaliveleague.com | All Rights Reserved | About Us | FAQ | Sign Up | Contact Us | Site Statistics