Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Game Outlook for Friday's Rematch

Dec 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and forward John Henson (31) tries to block a shot by Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls were humiliated on national television in Thursday’s meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks. Can they bounce back at home against the young Bucks on Friday night?

The upside for the Chicago Bulls getting embarrassed on national television in December is that there’s usually another one the next night.

In this case, there is in fact another game to be played for the Bulls on Friday, and it just so happens to be against the team that embarrassed them the night before: the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo thoroughly pounded the Bulls on Thursday night, combining for 58 points and looking like the duo of the future in Milwaukee.

Nikola Mirotic completely fell out of the rotation for the Bulls, while Bobby Portis continued to struggle like the rest of the Bulls (outside of say, Taj Gibson on Thursday).

But, the Bulls get another crack at the youth-filled, energized division rival to the north of them from Wisconsin on Friday night.

Here’s a look at what to watch for in the rematch on Friday night, including a projected look at the starters and a prediction.

Oct 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) drives the ball down court in front of Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Can the Bulls slow down the Parker-Antetokounmpo duo this time?

The Chicago Bulls are not “younger and more athletic” than the Milwaukee Bucks are.

That’s why the task of stopping the Chicago-born Jabari Parker and do-it-all “guard”, alien(?) Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t be easy for the Bulls, as Thursday’s game showed us.

The duo scored 58 of Milwaukee’s 108 points on Thursday night and looked like quite the 1-2 punch for the Bucks, who won just their fourth game against the Bucks in the last 16 meetings in Milwaukee (including the 2015 playoff series).

A lot can change in 24 hours, but will it? Jimmy Butler can’t guard both players. Dwyane Wade isn’t 28 years old anymore. The rest of the Bulls bench have had a tougher time guarding traffic cones throughout most of the season, so if the Bucks get this kind of production from their two young hoopers again, it could be another long night for the Bulls.

There’s plenty of things that the Bulls can’t afford, but one of those things is letting the Bucks’ stallions get out and run the floor in transition. This is where the Bucks are so deadly, especially with Antetokounmpo leading the charge on a break.

Dec 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Projected starting lineups

In terms of the starters, nothing will likely change for both teams. The Bulls came out of Thursday’s loss unscathed after Rajon Rondo missed Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a sore ankle he injured in practice.

The Bucks will keep their starting five that worked so well for them on Thursday, including … yes, Tony Snell. In his first game against his former team, Snell scored nine points on 10 shots and racked up a plus-minus of +2 because the “Plus-Minus Gawd” never has a negative rating.

As for the Bulls and the rest of their rotation, Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg had no problem mixing things up on Thursday. Nikola Mirotic was healthy and didn’t even play.

It’s a clear sign that Hoiberg’s looking for answers, but at the same time, his erratic minutes for guys in the rotation is throwing things off. Will things go back to “normal” with Mirotic back in the fold on Friday?

Projected Bucks starters:

Matthew Dellavedova, Tony Snell, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and John Henson

Projected Bulls starters:

Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez.

The Bulls are going to need a much better start from this unit compared to Thursday’s game. The Bucks jumped out to a 12-point lead and scored 30 in the opening frame. That can’t happen for the Bulls to win on Friday.

Dec 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) battle for a rebound in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Antetokounmpo scored 30 points to help the Bucks beat the Bulls 108-97. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction

You would think the Bulls come out with more intensity after being ran off the floor on Thursday night just 90 miles north of Chicago against the Bucks.

The Bulls have owned the Bucks over the years, but this isn’t your dad’s Milwaukee Bucks roster. Even without Khris Middleton and his torn hamstring, the Bucks are still a good team building towards a huge future.

What also helped the Bucks destroy the Bulls on Thursday night was their bench. Mirza Teletovic and rookie Malcolm Brogdon were fantastic in reserve, scoring 18 points in the Bucks victory.

If the bench can maintain things for the Bucks again on Friday, then another win could be coming their way.

But, the Bulls have basically now played six bad quarters of basketball in their last seven quarters. (They were a +11 on Thursday in the fourth quarter, 31-20). They’re due for a better performance. Maybe not as good as their first quarter this past Tuesday against Minnesota, but better.

Prediction: Bulls win, 98-93.