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The Milwaukee Bucks once again flexed their championship DNA in another 119-95 blowout win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
Here’s how we think they graded out.
Zach LaVine: B.
Will the real Zach LaVine please stand up? LaVine provided a better performance in Game 4, but after a blistering start (10 points in the first quarter), LaVine was largely quiet for the rest of the first half. He did end the first half with seven assists, but the Bulls are at their best when LaVine is going nuclear with his scoring ability. LaVine’s off-ball defense was poor.
Alex Caruso: B+.
Caruso has been the steady force for the Bulls in the series (which isn’t a surprise considering his championship experience). He ignited the Bulls early with a steal and an impressive pass through traffic to a cutting LaVine. Caruso didn’t return in the second half after receiving an elbow to the face from Jevon Carter.
Nikola Vucevic: C+.
This wasn’t Vucevic’s best game in this series. He shot 1-of-6 from the 3-point line and 5-of-14 from the field. Vucevic didn’t defend well, but he wasn’t a huge issue on that end of the floor.
Patrick Williams: C+.
One of the lone bright spots from Game 4 is that Patrick Williams finally saw shots go in the net. Williams scored 20 points. Though his baskets didn’t directly affect the score, it’s good for the young forward to have solid game to build off of.
DeMar DeRozan: C-.
Outside of his Game 2 eruption, DeRozan has been held in check by the Milwaukee defense. 23 points on 20 shots is a win for the Bucks. The combination of Wes Matthews and Jrue Holiday have caused fits for the NBA’s fifth-leading scorer.
Ayo Dosunmu: B.
Welcome to the grades, Ayo Dosunmu. Dosunmu provided a jolt for the Bulls in the second half. The Chicago native knocked down two huge 3s to cut into the Bucks lead. Out of all of the bench players, Dosunmu is the only one who showed up to play.
Bench: F.
The Bench was non-existent in yet another showing. Coby White entered the game and immediately turn the ball over twice and didn’t provide nearly enough scoring punch to warrant sufficient playing time. White was a bench-worst -17 in his 15 minutes. White has lacked the scoring punch that Grayson Allen gave to the Bucks. Billy Donovan effectively benched Thompson after his disastrous five minute stretch that included three turnovers and two personal fouls.