Giannis Antetokounmpo and the big three Bucks maintain an almost unbeaten record in the 2021-22 period after the victory over the Bulls
If you haven’t checked the leaderboard in a while, you’ll quickly recognize something familiar about the top of the Eastern Conference.
The Milwaukee Bucks are once again among the East’s elite after a slow start to the season.
NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)
Their 94-90 win over the Chicago Bulls at the Fiserv Forum on Friday night was the first time the Bucks have won consecutive games in nearly three weeks since January 1.
More importantly, the victory extended the team’s near-undefeated record with a trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday in the squad.
Middleton (missed 13 games), Holiday (14 games) and Antetokounmpo (nine games) have been plagued by various illnesses throughout the first half of the season, aside from starting center Brook Lopez being able to make an appearance only during the ceremony. opening night due to a back injury that forced him to have surgery.
As they did throughout the 2021 championship, the three Bucks stars took turns taking over the game. In the game against Chicago, Antetokounmpo got the stats while Khris Middleton rose to success towards the end of the fourth quarter.
Going into the game against the Bulls, Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Holiday units ranked 11th out of 3-man Milwaukee units in minutes, showing how little of a chance they had to share the floor.
For comparison, last season the group finished sixth in the same category.
Big bucks three finish it (via NBA.com)
| Minute | Ortg | Drtg | Net | |
| 2020-21 | 922 | 116.3 | 103.7 | +12.7 |
| 2021-22 | 322 | 112.7 | 104.3 | +5.6 |
Without Lopez on the roster, the Bucks turned to Bobby Portis in the starting fifth, with DeMarcus Cousins being a recent addition to the big man rotation. Despite losing its defensive anchor, the Bucks are still ranked sixth in the league for their defensive ratings.
In the bottom third place in terms of offensive and defensive efficiency in the first weeks of the season, the Bucks now rank in the Top 10 in attack and defense.
In a season where injuries as well as health and safety regulations are playing a big part in the regular season’s story, the banker’s win is more important than ever.
For now, at least, the Bucks’ big three haven’t wasted a single chance.
