Bucks Zone

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls to lock up best record in the NBA

The top seed is in the bag for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
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All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was a last-minute scratch, but his absence hardly mattered as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls, 105-92, to formally clinch the number one seed on Wednesday night.

The Bucks improved to NBA-best 58-22, and regardless of the outcome of their final two games in the regular season, they are already assured of the top seeding in the playoffs.

Antetokounmpo participated in the pre-game warm-ups, but right knee soreness ultimately prevented him from suiting up. Khris Middleton also left in the second quarter and did not return due to right knee soreness. Grayson Allen was also sidelined due to a sprained ankle.

No stopping the Bucks

Despite the handicap, the Bucks still came up with the huge victory behind the trio of Bobby Portis Jr., Brook Lopez, and Jrue Holiday.

Portis piled up 27 points and 13 rebounds, Lopez finished with 26 points, while Holiday coughed up 26 points, a season-high 15 assists, and seven rebounds.

Jevon Carter added 16 points for the Bucks, who turned up the heat in the final half to ice the crucial victory.

Sealing it in the fourth

The Bucks trailed at the half, 51-49, but stole the upper hand after the third quarter, 79-76.

Milwaukee then put the cuffs on Chicago in the fourth, limiting the visiting opponent to just 16 points while scoring 26 of its own to seal the win, pulling away.

Nikola Vucevic was the lone Bull to reach the 20-point mark, finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Coby White added 14 points, while Zach Lavine had 13.

DeMar DeRozan only managed eight points for the Bulls, who dropped to 38-42.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.