Bulls see Bucks without Antetokounmpo
The list of missing players for the Bulls-Bucks game Monday night could have made a very nice core of a lower-level playoff team - or a G-League championship ensemble.
Heading the names off the frigid night marquee was Milwaukee MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out his fifth game of the season with what was termed "right knee soreness."
The absence marked the first time this year that the 6-11 Greek marvel has missed two games in one month. The Bucks split the previous four. They beat visiting Toronto in October and Cleveland in December. They lost at Washington in January and bottomed out with a 103-83 thumping from host Orlando two weeks ago.
The Orlando bump marked the first time coach Mike Budenholzer hadn't started Ersan Ilyasova in place of Antetokounmpo. Ex-Bull Tony Snell opened against the Magic.
Monday night, Budenholzer had Ilyasova back in his starting five,
Other Bucks not in uniform included George Hill (groin strain) and Sterling Brown (wrist).
A growing list:
The Bulls extended their list of absentees to include newly acquired sparker Otto Porter Jr. (lower left leg strain) and Kris Dunn (migraine headache)
Porter missed the second half of Saturday night's 126-116 win over Boston. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, the 6-6 swingman acquired from Oklahoma City on Feb. 1.
Cabarrot played well in his starting debut. He finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds.
Mirotic back at UC:
The game also marked the fourth visit of Nikola Mirotic to the United Center since his February 2018 trade to New Orleans and the first time he's played.
Mirotic was Budenholzer's second man off the bench. He had 13 points, including 3-of-9 long-range, and was an augment presence throughout his 23 minutes.
Still, Boylen praised the 6-10 bumper: "Man, he gives them another weapon and another asset. He's a versatile, intelligent guy and I'm very happy for him that he's in a good spot."
Bulls horns:
Robin Lopez outplayed twin brother Brook Lopez, Milwaukee's starting center. Robin Lopez's 26 points were a season-high. ... The Bucks added Isaiah Canaan through a 10-day contract Monday afternoon. He finished with 6 points in 11 minutes "after about five minutes of preparation time," according to Mike Budenholzer. ... Milwaukee has yet to lose two in a row this season. ... Ticket demand continues to surge for Bucks home games at their new Fiserv Forum. For the first time since 2001, Milwaukee has been playing to periodic SRO crowds at home.
jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com