Bucks push Bulls to the brink in NBA playoffs

The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls 119-95 on Sunday in the NBA playoffs, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way with 32 points and 17 rebounds.

The Bucks took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, which continues Wednesday in Milwaukee, thanks to the Greek star center’s seven assists and two blocked shots.

Grayson Allen scored 27 points on 10-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range, for the Bucks, who also got 26 points from Jrue Holiday and 14 from Bobby Portis.

“I’ve got to trust my teammates,” said Antetokounmpo. “They know what the deal is. They can all make plays. The games become easy when you move the ball.”

Zach LaVine had 24 points and 13 assists for the Bulls, who haven’t won a playoff game at home since 2015. DeMar DeRozan added 23 points.

Chicago shot 38.9% from the field, a defensive performance Antetokounmpo believes the Bucks must replicate if they want to win game five at home.

“We’ve got to keep up our defense,” he said. “We’ve got to make it tough for them and we’ve got to hit our shots.”

The Bucks were missing forward Khris Middleton, who was sidelined for the rest of the series after suffering a left knee injury in game two.

Portis came in to replace him and scored seven points in a 9-2 run to give Milwaukee a 20-12 lead. He was wearing glasses due to an eye issue.

LaVine scored 12 points in the first quarter and assisted on four other baskets to get the Bulls within 25-22.

Antetokounmpo hit a turnaround jumper to put the Bucks up 39-28, Portis hit back-to-back jumpers to make it 43-31, and Allen and Holiday hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 54-39 on their way to a 56-41 halftime lead.

Milwaukee started the second half on a 9-2 run to take a 65-43 lead. Chicago responded with a 17-3 run to come within 68-60, but the Bucks responded with an 11-point run, with Antetokounmpo scoring six points and assisting on a 3-pointer by Allen, to take a 79-60 lead.

The Bulls couldn’t get any closer than 13 points for the rest of the game.

Later on Sunday, Golden State will aim to complete a sweep of Denver, Miami will face Atlanta, and Phoenix will face New Orleans.

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