3 keys for Chicago Bulls to win first-round series against Milwaukee Bucks

3 keys for Chicago Bulls to win series against Milwaukee Bucks: Attack the Paint

At first glance, it may sound like advising the Chicago Bulls, who are much shorter than the Milwaukee Bucks, to attack the paint is bad advice. However, there are times when going against conventional wisdom can work in one’s favor.

If Chicago stays out of the interior due to fear of Milwaukee’s big men, they are playing right into their opponent’s hands. In order to negate the advantage, they must attack it and turn the Bucks’ strength into a weakness.

Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are two of the best slashers in the NBA. If they apply pressure off the dribble, it will force the defense to collapse and Milwaukee will have to scramble. Although kicking the ball outside to players who may be open as a result of the scramble is one option, an even better option is to attack the rim and draw fouls.

Brook Lopez has been a solid rim protector over the last four seasons. LaVine and DeRozan should force him to go the extra mile, as trying to block two of the best finishers in the league will be no easy task.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Serge Ibaka, and Bobby Portis are all known to anchor Milwaukee’s defense from time to time. Forcing these three to work hard on defense will wear them down for the offensive end. In the case of Antetokounmpo, that means slowing down Milwaukee’s leading scorer.

Chicago should also focus on giving Nikola Vučević the ball on the block and allowing him to use his post moves. He is Chicago’s best back-to-the-basket player. Failing to get him involved would be a huge mistake. Vučević has the ability to score and he’s also a good free-throw shooter. That makes him a very important weapon in this series.