© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks escape the Chicago Bulls in OT for 10th-straight home win
On Monday night at the Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Bucks walked the tightrope before escaping the Chicago Bulls via overtime, 133-129.
Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 32 points and 11 rebounds, while Brook Lopez and Malik Beasley added 19 each for the Bucks, who are now 2-1 in their regular-season series with the Bulls.
Another tight contest
The two squads also figured in a tight battle in their previous game, with the Bulls escaping with a 120-113 overtime win.
The Bucks won the first meeting, 118-109, and appeared ready to chalk up an easy win in the third duel when they posted a 74-65 lead at the half.
Chicago battled back by outscoring Milwaukee in the third period, 24-17. The Bulls engaged the Bucks in a nip-and-tuck duel in the payoff period, and DeMar DeRozan's floater tied the contest at 118-all with only 3.7 seconds left in regulation.
Damian Lillard, who split his free throws before DeRozan's game-tying floater, missed a desperation shot from near midcourt that forced an extra five-minute session.
A made free throw by Torrey Craig to start the overtime period put the Bulls on top, 119-118, but the Bucks racked up seven straight points to surge ahead, 126-119.
The Bulls threatened within 129-131 with only 12.8 seconds left, but Lillard sealed the win for the Bucks by sinking two free throws with 10.2 ticks remaining.
Invincible at home
Bobby Portis Jr. added 17 points for the Bucks, while Lillard and Khris Middleton chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Milwaukee continued its dominance at home, where they are now 11-2. The Bucks have won their last ten home games as they improved to 16-7 in the season.
DeRozan scored 41 points in the loss that snapped Chicago's season-high four-game winning streak. Coby White added 33 points for the Bulls, who fell to 9-15.
