Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Instant Analysis

On Thursday night, the Chicago Bulls put together perhaps their most disappointing performance of the season. The Bulls fall to the Bucks, 108-97.

The Bulls are who we thought they were.

In light of the Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade signings, there was a mix between optimism and pessimism from fans. However, the majority of Bulls Nation was generally pessimistic about the Bulls coming into the season.

Chicago got off to that hot start and a lot of the doubters were starting to believe in this team. Not only that, but there was a whole lot of, “I told you so” from the preseason believers.

As of late, the tide has started to turn. At this point, Chicago can no longer be looked at as one of the elite teams in the East.

The Bucks dominated the Bulls right from the get-go. Jabari Parker and the Greek Freak each had 12 points in the first quarter and helped the Bucks jump out to a 30-18 lead.

Things got worse in the second quarter. Chicago was atrocious on the defensive end and they were simply getting out-hustled.

The Bulls were actually lucky they weren’t down even more in the second quarter. Milwaukee missed a number of easy looks around the basket. Chicago could have very well been down by thirty points by the end of the second quarter.

Sure, the Bucks were on fire and couldn’t miss. But at the same time Chicago wasn’t showing any heart out there.

The second half Chicago was much better defensively, and they were actually able to shrink the Bucks lead to eight points. However, that wasn’t nearly enough.

Also, it is worth noting that Nikola Mirotic did not play in this game. That will be something to keep an eye on.

Chicago will face Milwaukee again in a back-to-back as they head over to the United Center.