The Milwaukee Bucks got absolutely gored by the Chicago Bulls tonight, falling 125-104 in their final home preseason game just before the regular season tips off next week. This wasn’t just a loss, it was a flat-out thrashing that showcased some serious red flags for a squad gearing up for real competition.
This Ain’t the Defense We’re Used To
The game started rough, with the Bulls immediately hitting the Bucks with a 9-0 run. Seriously, a 9-0 run to start a game? Not the kind of energy you want heading into the regular season. Kasparas Jakucionis picked up two quick fouls, which certainly didn’t help. Cormac Ryan eventually got the Bucks on the board with a corner three, set up nicely by Brayden Burries. That sparked a 10-0 run for the Bucks, and for a minute, it felt like they might get back in it. Burries even snagged a steal from Caleb Wilson, showing some real hustle. But that energy didn’t last. Messy perimeter defense let the Bulls string together more runs, and by the end of the first quarter, Milwaukee was down 24-15.
The second quarter was somehow worse. The Bulls brought their starters back, and while the Bucks treaded water for about four minutes, keeping the deficit within single digits, their offense just evaporated. Chicago easily out-shot them, exposing defensive assignments breaking down or being completely missed. The Bucks logged a staggering 17 turnovers by halftime, which is just brutal. They were losing the offensive rebound battle too, leading to way too many one-shot possessions. At halftime, the score was a painful 62-39. What were they even doing out there?
Jakucionis and Burries Fought Back, But The Floodgates Were Open
The Bucks did come out with a bit more fire in the third quarter. Jakucionis nailed a floating and-one jumper right on the first possession, and Burries followed it up with a steal and a three-pointer. There was a bit of a cold streak, but then they started to regain some groove. We saw some creative shot-making from Jakucionis and Burries drawing fouls to get to the line. And shoutout to Kam Jones, who absolutely balled out, finishing the quarter leading the team with 17 points on 6/9 shooting, including two threes. Still, by the end of three, the Bucks were down by a mile, 102-78. The fourth quarter saw a “steady offensive attack” from Milwaukee, but it was coupled with “non-existent defensive formations.” You can’t win when you let up 102 points after three quarters, let alone 125 total.
Kam Jones led the Bucks in scoring for the night with 23 points, while Brayden Burries put up 19, and Kasparas Jakucionis had 18. Matas Buzelis starred for the Bulls with 19 points. Green, Rollins, Turner, Jaquez, Trent, Porter, Kuzma, and Herro all sat this one out, but honestly, it didn’t seem to matter for the Bulls.
This loss to the Bulls just before the regular season tips off next week is a wake-up call. The Bucks need to figure out their defensive rotations and cut down on those turnovers, fast. Giving up 125 points in a preseason game is a gut punch, and if they want to make any noise in the real season, they have to lock in on defense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Brew Hoop.
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