If the Chicago Bulls entered Wednesday’s game with the Milwaukee Bucks with any hope that they could overcome the series 3-1 deficit, it was quickly dashed.
Chicago held a brief 4-3 lead in the game’s opening minutes but that was the high watermark. Milwaukee led 34-18 after the first quarter and went on to a 116-100 win to close the series out in five games.
The Bulls were widely derided for their effort when facing elimination throughout the game.
This Bucks/Bulls series. #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/W9KasjTj5E
— Valentín
(@niceguyvale) April 28, 2022
Bulls-Bucks pic.twitter.com/S6q3JUwcVA
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) April 28, 2022
Bulls vs Bucks has been a colossal mismatch for years now. It’s just too bad the Bucks lost Khris en route to domination this series.
— Justin Wills (@itsjwills) April 28, 2022
But there are two sides to every story. And while Wednesday will not be remembered as a particularly strong effort for the Bulls, a big part of that was the smothering domination of the Bucks.
Several NBA fans gave the defending champion their due.
This is a beat down by Milwaukee. I thought this would at least be a good competitive game. But hey, I'll take a series win.#FeartheDeer #NBA75
— Coach Marty (@CaseyLM64) April 28, 2022
Took care of business… Bring on Boston! #FearTheDeer — James Pollard (@jpollard_3) April 28, 2022
I just really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, love this @Bucks team.
#FearTheDeer — Wendi Hansen (@WendiLooHoo3) April 28, 2022
This is Giannis’ world and we’re all just happily living in it.
#FearTheDeer — Wendi Hansen (@WendiLooHoo3) April 28, 2022
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with a game high 33 points, shooting 11-for-15 from the field and 14-for-15 from free throws. Bobby Portis had a double-double for the Bucks, scoring 14 points and hauling in 17 rebounds. Pat Connaughton added 20 points for the Bucks, shooting 6-for-9 on three-point attempts.
It was a truly dominant effort for Milwaukee. After the Bulls stole Game 2 on the road, an upset seemed plausible. But the Bucks fired back strong winning two games in Chicago by margins of 30 and 24 points, respectively, to get back on track.
Milwaukee will take on the Boston Celtics in the second round. Like the Bucks, the Celtics are coming off of a dominant first-round effort. Those are two teams in what still figures to be a wide-open Eastern Conference.
Game 1 (per Gary Washburn, The Boston Globe) between the Bucks and Celtics will be held on Sunday, May 1 in Boston.