Bucks at Bulls
Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the midst of a fantastic three-game stretch and the Milwaukee forward looks to help the Bucks complete a home-and-home sweep of the host Chicago Bulls on Friday. Antetokounmpo contributed 30 points, 14 rebounds and three steals as Milwaukee posted a 108-97 victory in Chicago on Thursday.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.3 points and 11.7 rebounds over the past three games and is placing all his attention on helping the Bucks record another victory over the Bulls. "We've got to be focused," Antetokounmpo said in a postgame television interview. "It was a great win but we've got to be focused (Friday). It's hard to win back-to-back games against the same team so we've got to be focused the next game." Chicago trailed by as many as 27 points in Thursday's setback and has dropped five of its last seven games as it begins a three-game homestand. "They really got after us early," Bulls guard Dwyane Wade said of the Bucks. "They made eight 3s in the first half — that is not on our scouting report for them to make eight 3s."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), CSN Chicago
ABOUT THE BUCKS (12-12): Third-year forward Jabari Parker scored 28 points against the Bulls to continue a solid stretch in which he has exceeded 20 points in five of the past six games. The former No. 2 overall choice is averaging 22.1 points in December and he always raises his play up an extra gear when he goes against the Bulls after growing up in Chicago. "I definitely play with another edge," Parker said after Thursday's victory. "That's the game I circle on my calendar beyond any other game just because I'm a kid from the city. I grew up watching them and that's something that's in my pride to try my best against the Bulls."
ABOUT THE BULLS (13-12): Star guard Jimmy Butler scored 21 points Thursday for his 18th 20-point outing in the past 19 games but he struggled through a 6-of-16 shooting night. While Wade said he isn't concerned about Chicago's inability to shake its inconsistent play, Butler understands efforts like Thursday need to stop. "We didn’t defensive rebound the way we're capable of in the first half, which led to their easy points," Butler told reporters. "We turned the ball over a little too much. Everything is easily correctable when you look at it but we have to go out and execute that whenever you step out on the floor."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Bulls won four of the previous five meetings before losing Thursday's contest.
2. Milwaukee F Michael Beasley (foot) sat out Thursday and is questionable for the rematch.
3. Chicago PG Rajon Rondo (ankle) returned from a one-game absence and had five points and eight assists Thursday.