NBA Playoffs 2022 on Sunday, 04/24/2022
111:81 win over the red and white it came to a dam breaking! Therefore, in my Bulls Bucks tip, I’ll even go so far as to say that the defending champions will celebrate another clear victory over the home side in Game 4.
Until exactly a month ago, the Bulls’ record against the top three franchises in both conferences was an unfathomable 0-16, so it’s no wonder that the Red and Whites, who declined tremendously towards the end of the season, were one of the most coveted first-round opponents.
The Bucks could not complain at all about their playoff draw and promptly started the series with an expected 93-86 victory, to which Chicago immediately responded in the rematch.
In addition, Khris Middleton, one of the mainstays of the Green and Whites’ game, was injured in the 110-114 defeat in Game 2! But the defending champions would not be the defending champions if they did not know how to get out of such dicey situations.
In Game 3, the underdog was dismantled in Chicago, which immediately found its way into the annals of the NBA. The 30-point defeat was the Bulls’ second-highest loss in their entire playoff history.
Frankly, though, I’m surprised by the clarity with which the Bucks won. After Khris Middleton had been injured in the previous game and the red and white team now had the home advantage, I actually assumed the worst.
Although the home side had it in their own hands before the game, there is no denying that the Bulls practically eliminated themselves with a subterranean team performance.
The Bulls were overrun by the defending champions without really giving the impression that they put in an exceptional performance, but rather that the home side simply didn’t have their heads in the game.
There must be a reason why Chicago has such a subterranean record against top teams. With the exception of Lonzo Ball – who is injured to make matters worse – they simply lack a real driving force.
Although I attribute the defeat more to their own psyche, weaknesses were also revealed on the field! The Bulls were dominated in the zone (43:55 rebounds, 30:46 points), a whopping 13 turnovers led to 16 avoidable Bucks points.
In Game 4, I now expect the Bucks to win again – especially after the home side’s implosion less than 24 hours ago. Furthermore, the replacement of Khris Middleton has surprised me positively.
In the beginning, I had my doubts whether Bobby Portis would actually be up to the task. But his performance in Game 3 – especially in the backward movement – was perhaps exactly what the defending champions have been lacking so far in this series.
Brook Lopez’s timely return for the start of the playoffs also paid off! Using him at centre and Giannis Antetokounmpo at forward gives Milwaukee greater tactical flexibility in the build-up to the game
If the Green and Whites actually win, then in my eyes a preliminary decision would already have been made in this series. A triumph by the Bulls, on the other hand, would even up the series and at the same time entail betting odds of around 2.55.
Conclusion: The last game was decisive for my Bulls Bucks tip today. That’s because the home side once again imploded against a top team – as they have so many times before in the Regular Season.
The Green and Whites did nothing extraordinary and only dominated the zone, which the Red and Whites left to them without much resistance – the many unnecessary ball losses then did the rest.
Basketball fans should also not forget that Chicago has a horrendous record against top teams in both conferences! It is also probably no coincidence that the defending champions have already won six of the seven head-to-head meetings so far this season.
My Bulls Bucks tip : Milwaukee wins again.
