Milwaukee hosts Chicago in an early-season Eastern Conference contest on Friday afternoon with the Bulls missing three players due to illness and injury.
The Bucks and Bulls both opened the season 0-1 and sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, Milwaukee in 12th and Chicago 13th. Milwaukee enters this game at home with no injuries listed, while Chicago will be without Jordan Hawkins and Dailyn Swain, both sidelined by illness, and Nic Claxton, who is out with a hamstring injury.
Last season, Milwaukee finished 32-50 overall and 9-7 within the Central Division. They shot 47.7 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from beyond the arc, reflecting a team that could score efficiently but struggled to convert wins. Chicago ended with a 31-51 record and a poor 4-12 mark in the division, also struggling on the road with a 13-28 away record. The Bulls averaged 116.3 points per game last season, with notable contributions coming from 53 points in the paint, 15.4 points off turnovers, and 17.4 points on fast breaks.
The absence of Claxton, a forward who contributes defensively and on the glass, may limit Chicago’s options against Milwaukee’s typically strong frontcourt. With Hawkins and Swain out due to illness, the Bulls’ rotation and depth will be tested early in the season.
The Bucks, meanwhile, will look to improve on their 0-1 start by capitalising on their home court advantage and a full roster. Milwaukee’s shooting accuracy and past division performance will be factors they aim to carry into this matchup.
This game offers an early glimpse into how both teams might handle adversity this season. Chicago faces the challenge of integrating key players back into the lineup once healthy, while Milwaukee sees a chance to gain momentum with a home win against a struggling rival. The game tips off at 4 p.m. EDT on Friday.
According to Yahoo Sports.