Bucks Pull Away Late to Defeat Bulls 126-110 in NBA Cup Opener
MILWAUKEE – It was game one of group play in the NBA Cup as the Milwaukee Bucks hosted the Chicago Bulls. A healthy smattering of red filled the stands of Fiserv Forum for what proved to be an “intense” regional match that stayed tight well into the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, the Bucks prevailed, pulling away from the Bulls in the final minutes to secure a 126-110 victory.
“That was an intense game tonight,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said after the contest, praising the NBA Cup format. “The reason it’s great is because you get to see early intensity. You put yourself in a playoff-type atmosphere, and it allows you, from a coaching standpoint, to really evaluate what you need to change, what you need to work on.”
Slow Start for Bucks Despite Home Court Advantage
Despite the energy and pageantry that come with an NBA Cup matchup, the home team Bucks — playing on their green-and-gold Cup court — got off to an inauspicious start. They managed just 11 points in the first eight minutes, struggling with missed shots from distance and falling behind early.
“First half, I actually told our team as a group that was the worst shots we’ve taken this year in a half,” Rivers admitted postgame regarding Milwaukee’s early struggles. “I thought we were very impatient offensively.”
However, a late surge in the first quarter, sparked by an Amir Coffey dunk and a 3-pointer from Myles Turner, saw Milwaukee score 12 points in the final four minutes. The Bucks took their first lead early in the second quarter at 26-25 and eventually went into halftime with a narrow 53-52 advantage.
Bucks Find Rhythm in Second Half
Milwaukee overcame their tough start by converting higher-percentage shots and hitting from deep more consistently in the third quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner led the way, with Turner arguably having his best game as a Buck, finishing with a season-high in scoring that included crucial three-pointers.
In the third quarter alone, Antetokounmpo hauled in eight rebounds, notching his sixth double-double of the season within just the first four minutes of the half. The Bucks held a 85-80 lead heading into the final period.
“We’re still trying to get him in his right spots,” Rivers said about Turner. “I thought today he was the most aggressive. We looked at his numbers and saw he was rolling almost half as much as he did with Indiana, and I think we kind of screwed him up. I told him, ‘Hey, you can pop more with this team.’ This morning we said just do what you feel—roll, pop, we’ll figure it out. Just do you, be you.”
Late-Game Surge Seals the Win
In the fourth quarter, the Bulls remained within striking distance, but Milwaukee pulled away in the final four minutes. Turner delivered an and-1 finish and a crucial free throw, marking his 20th point of the night. Moments later, Ryan Rollins sank a key three-pointer, and the Bucks never looked back, completing a 16-point victory.
Defense Shines as Kyle Kuzma Contains Josh Giddey
Kyle Kuzma earned high praise for his efforts guarding Bulls’ guard Josh Giddey throughout the night. Despite Giddey being an early-season MVP candidate, he was limited to just 16 points on 6-14 shooting.
“I thought Kuz was absolutely phenomenal,” Rivers said, highlighting that it’s uncommon for the Bucks’ wing man to guard a point guard. “I think Darvin [Hamm] called him the Swiss Army Knife. He plays the four, he plays the three, he guards the one.”
Giannis and Turner Lead the Way
Giannis finished with a spectacular 41 points, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most 40-point games in franchise history with 56 total. This marked his second 40-point-plus game this season. In addition to scoring, he grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out eight assists.
“Giannis changed the game,” said Rivers. “Especially when he started attacking the basket.”
Turner contributed 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three-point range. Ryan Rollins also finished with 20 points, along with six rebounds and four assists.
What’s Next for the Bucks?
The Bucks will remain at home for their next contest, hosting the Houston Rockets on Sunday, November 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Central Time at Fiserv Forum.
