Bucks Dominate Bulls in Preseason Opener – NBC Sports Chicago Recap

Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich

The Chicago Bulls suffered a 105-102 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in their preseason opener at FiServ Forum on Sunday afternoon. Here are 10 key takeaways from the game:

— The Bucks and Bulls approached the game differently. Bucks coach Adrian Griffin, who made his NBA head coaching debut, rested players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton. On the other hand, Bulls coach Billy Donovan stuck to his usual strategy and started Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic.

— Coby White and Patrick Williams were included in the Bulls’ starting lineup, with White potentially having the edge in the competition for the starting point guard role. Keeping White and Williams together on the court makes sense considering their chemistry from last season.

— Donovan made a strategic move by staggering Williams’ minutes and bringing in Torrey Craig as the first reserve in the first quarter. Williams then played with the second unit in the second quarter.

— The Bulls’ second unit, consisting of Jevon Carter, Ayo Dosunmu, Alex Caruso, Torrey Craig, and Andre Drummond, showed great defensive potential and entered the game in the first quarter. Caruso immediately made an impact with a steal.

— The Bulls emphasized their 3-point shooting, with 12 of their 35 attempts coming in the first quarter. This aligns with their goal of increasing their 3-point attempts per game compared to last season. They finished the game 13-for-35 from beyond the arc.

— In the second half, Carter, Drummond, and Craig started in place of LaVine, DeRozan, and Vucevic. The Bulls focused on utilizing Vucevic as an offensive hub in the mid-post.

— Although the offense had its moments of stagnation, the Bulls showcased their intention to play at a faster pace, both in transition and in the halfcourt. They outscored the Bucks in fast-break points.

— Patrick Williams played with aggression, displaying notable assertiveness in his shot attempts and finishing with 13 points. However, he still needs to improve his rebounding.

— Torrey Craig brought a competitive edge and toughness to the Bulls, making an immediate impact with his energy and force. He finished the game with seven points, four rebounds, and two steals.

— Coby White stood out with his performance, leading the team in minutes played and contributing 14 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals. He showed confidence in pushing the pace and attacking the paint.

“I noticed this summer when I went out in June to see him. He physically looked different. The ball looked to be a little bit more on a string for him,” said Donovan about White’s development.

Click here to follow the Bulls Talk Podcast.