The Bulls get one last preseason road test tonight, and the setup in Milwaukee looks about as favorable as it gets. The Bucks are without a long list of regulars, while Chicago is still trying to firm up the identity it has been chasing all camp: pressure the ball, play with force around the rim, and clean up the defensive slippage that has shown up too often so far.
That defensive work has been the lingering issue. Chicago’s last trip away from home ended in a 133-128 loss to the Denver Nuggets, but the offense did enough to keep the game tight.
The group pushed the tempo and moved the ball well, which at least showed the kind of energy Tiago Splitter wants. What didn’t travel nearly as well was the defense, and that has been a theme all preseason.
Some of that is baked into the current roster situation. Nic Claxton and Zach Collins remain out, leaving the Bulls short on rim protection.
The young wings have also had their share of trouble on the perimeter. That’s manageable in October, but Splitter will want a cleaner showing over these final two preseason games.
Milwaukee hasn’t exactly been putting up fireworks either. The Bucks have scored fewer than 100 points in two of their first three preseason games, and with a reshaped roster, new head coach Taylor Jenkins is still sorting out what this team looks like moving forward. That kind of unsettled start could give Chicago an opening, especially with the Bulls planning to use a more regular-season-like rotation down the stretch of the preseason.
The Bucks made the picture even clearer shortly before tip-off by ruling out most of their usual starters. Tyler Herro, Gary Trent Jr. and Myles Turner are among the players sitting out, along with Kyle Kuzma, Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Tobe Awaka.
Chicago’s starting group features Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Jalen Smith. Milwaukee’s first five includes Kasperas Jukucionis, Brayden Burries, Ousmane Dieng, Pete Nance and Jericho Sims.
The game is set for 7:00 PM CT at Fiserv Forum and will air on Chicago Sports Network, with radio coverage on 104.3 FM in Chicago and 103.3 FM in Milwaukee.
In Other News...
Bucks Guard Crunch Just Got Tougher To Ignore
Kam Jones and Cormac Ryan gave the Bucks something to think about in a recent preseason game against the Bulls, coming off the bench and flashing the kind of scoring pop that can make a crowded backcourt even more complicated. Jones finished with 23 points and Ryan added 14, and both two-way guards showed they can do more than simply fill minutes during exhibition play.
For Milwaukee, the performance was a reminder that the guard rotation already has plenty of names competing for time, and roster cutdowns could make the next few decisions even trickier. Two-way players are always trying to turn one strong night into a longer look, and Jones and Ryan at least made sure their cases were heard. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Could Lose Familiar Rotation Pieces As Roster Crunch Hits
Training camp has given Milwaukee a fuller look at its roster than the regular season will allow. NBA teams have to get down to 18 players by Oct. 19, and the Bucks are sitting at 21 on the preseason roster with 17 standard contracts, which means a few familiar faces will not fit once the final accounting starts.
Jake Fischer reported that Milwaukee is exploring trade options to clear the logjam, and that naturally puts some bigger names into the conversation. Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner were mentioned as possible trade candidates, a reminder that the Bucks are not just deciding on the end of the bench - they may be weighing tougher choices deeper in the rotation as they work to get roster compliant. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Herro Puts The Bucks At A Defining Backcourt Crossroads
Tyler Herros arrival in Milwaukee already gave the Bucks a different kind of backcourt conversation, and the stakes only rise with him entering the final year of his contract. Acquired in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, Herro brings the scoring punch that can tilt a game quickly, which is exactly why his status has become such a central part of the Bucks planning.
The question now is whether Milwaukee treats him as a short-term piece worth extending or as an asset whose value could help shape the next version of the roster. Herros offense is obvious, but his defense and overall fit with the teams long-term backcourt picture have created a real crossroads for a front office trying to balance present need with future flexibility. [Read more 🡒]