The Bucks fell 104-125 to the Bulls at home on October 14, a preseason game the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jim Owczarski wrote the club approached by resting eight veterans. Two first-quarter runs from Chicago set the tone, and a lineup of reserves closed it out for Milwaukee.
First quarter
Chicago opened with a 9-0 run from the opening tip to make it 9-3. Milwaukee answered immediately, scoring 10 straight to lead 12-10, the Bucks' only lead of the night at plus-1. The Bulls then ran off 10 more unanswered points to go up 19-12, and the period ended with Chicago ahead 24-15.
Second quarter
Milwaukee called two early timeouts, at 9-5 and again at 9-10, trying to slow Chicago's start. The scoring cooled in the second quarter, but Milwaukee's biggest lead stayed at plus-1 and the Bulls' biggest lead grew to 11. The deficit from the first quarter held through the rest of the half.
Final: 104-125
The Bucks closed with a five-man group of Brayden Burries, Caris LeVert, Jericho Sims, Kasparas Jakucionis and Pete Nance, facing a Chicago unit of Caleb Wilson, Jalen Smith, Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Norman Powell. Milwaukee's starters managed 8 points combined; its bench scored 4. There were two lead changes and no ties all night.
Grades
Jericho Sims: B-minus. Five rebounds and a block in 9 minutes, and his minus-1 was the least damaging mark for Milwaukee all night. Brayden Burries: C-plus. Three assists and a steal in 12 minutes, offset by 1-for-6 shooting. Kam Jones: D. Two points on 1-for-2 shooting in 5 minutes carried a minus-10, the worst plus-minus for either side at Milwaukee.
What it means
Milwaukee had two days of rest before this game and gets two more before visiting the Pacers on October 16, still in the preseason. The regular-season opener follows October 21 at Washington. With so many regulars held out, how quickly Jenkins reintegrates Herro, Turner, Kuzma, Jaquez Jr., Trent Jr., Porter Jr., Rollins and Green will shape the next week more than this preseason score.
Why did so many Bucks starters not play against the Bulls?
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jim Owczarski wrote that the Bucks rested eight veterans for the October 14 preseason game, opening minutes for younger players.
Who closed the game for the Bucks against Chicago?
Milwaukee finished with Brayden Burries, Caris LeVert, Jericho Sims, Kasparas Jakucionis and Pete Nance on the floor in a 104-125 loss.
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