Bulls may have pace, shooting and depth, but they don't have Giannis

Bucks Overpower Bulls Despite Similar Pace and Scoring

Thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominant performance, the Milwaukee Bucks handed the Chicago Bulls their second loss this season, showcasing the impact of star power.

Game Overview

The Bucks and Bulls entered their NBA Cup pool-play game running at nearly the same pace this season. The Bulls averaged 120.4 points per game, ranking seventh in the league, while the Bucks trailed closely with 119.9 points per game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Standout Performance

Antetokounmpo, a perennial MVP candidate, led the Bucks with a season-high 41 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists. Nineteen of those points came in the fourth quarter, helping the Bucks secure a 126-110 victory and drop the Bulls to 1-1 in Cup play.

“He’s just a handful with the way he plays. I’ve got great respect for his motor, intensity and the way he competes, but you’re going to have to, at a certain point, match force with force. He without question in the fourth quarter overwhelmed us.” – Bulls head coach Billy Donovan

Defensive Challenges for the Bulls

Multiple Bulls players struggled to contain Antetokounmpo. Isaac Okoro began guarding him but quickly faced foul trouble, forcing other Bulls big men to defend him as he aggressively attacked space on the court.

“He just started going at us one-on-one, and when he sees space, he’s going to attack it.” – Isaac Okoro

Author’s Summary

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s exceptional all-around performance proved decisive, overpowering a Bulls team that matched the Bucks in pace and scoring but lacked his star impact.

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Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Sun-Times — 2025-11-08

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