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Keys for the Milwaukee Bucks to win their series against the Chicago Bulls

By Thomas J. Brown

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 26: Jrue Holiday #21 Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate during player introductions prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 26, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 26: Jrue Holiday #21 Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate during player introductions prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 26, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls
Apr 30, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) defends against Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Keys for the Milwaukee Bucks to win their series against the Chicago Bulls:: Utilize the height advantage

One of the reasons the Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the best teams in the NBA over the last four seasons is the fact that they routinely out-rebound their opponent night in and night out. The recent return of Center Brook Lopez from back surgery will only reinforce the advantage they enjoy on the boards. However, Lopez’s7’0″ frame is not the only big body the Bucks use to dominate in the paint.

Perennial MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo is 6’11” and averaged 11.6 rebounds per game during the regular season. Bobby Portis and Serge Ibaka are both versatile big men who stand 6’10” tall.

Lopez and Antetokounmpo are underrated shot blockers. Portis is increasingly likely to get a put-back dunk or offense or a weakside block on defense as the crowd gets louder in clutch moments. Ibaka has championship experience and knows how to make great use of his size and strength. The edge in size is on the side of Milwaukee; they would be foolish not to use it to their advantage.

The Chicago Bulls, on the other hand, have a relatively short frontline. Their two tallest players are Nikola Vučević and Tristan Thompson, who are both 6’10”. Once upon a time, Thompson was one of the best rebounders in the league, but that has not been the case this season.

Meanwhile, Bulls fans have criticized Vučević for straying out to the three-point line too often and neglecting to bang with the other big bodies inside the paint. The only other two players on the roster who spend the majority of their time close to the basket are Patrick Williams and Derrick Jones Jr. They are both 6’7″. If Milwaukee wants to exploit their opponent’s lack of size, this matchup against Chicago would be the series to do it.

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