Bulls use 27-0 run to snap 11-game losing streak vs. Bucks
Josh Giddey notched a triple-double of 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists and Collin Sexton scored a game-high 22 points as the Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks 120-97 on Sunday to stop an 11-game losing streak.
Chicago used a 27-0 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to secure its first victory since Jan. 31. The Bulls trailed 89-87 entering the fourth before ticking off the first 21 points, including seven from Matas Buzelis.
Sexton scored 14 of his points after halftime to spark seven Bulls in double figures. Buzelis scored 20 points while Leonard Miller added a career-best 15. Tre Jones (13), Guerschon Yabusele (12) and Nick Richards (11) followed.
Bobby Portis led Milwaukee with 18 points. Cam Thomas (15), AJ Green (13) and Ryan Rollins (11) were next. Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Jr. chipped in 10 points apiece.
Jericho Sims grabbed 11 rebounds for the Bucks. Rollins had seven assists to go along with seven boards.
Both teams struggled with ball control. Milwaukee committed 19 turnovers while Chicago had 18. The Bulls capitalized on a flurry of Bucks giveaways early in the third quarter to whittle away at a 16-point deficit. Sexton's jumper with 11:04 left in the fourth gave Chicago its first advantage since early in the second quarter.
Milwaukee and Chicago traded lengthy runs in the second as the Bucks took a 66-51 lead into halftime.
After a Buzelis dunk put the Bulls ahead 37-36 at the 10:14 mark, the Bucks responded with a 17-0 run to seemingly take control. Chicago countered with a 12-2 run to draw within six points before Milwaukee found an answer again.
Green converted a four-point play and later hit another trey as the Bucks scored 11 of the last 14 points to close the second quarter.
Green (13 points) and Thomas (10) scored in double figures in the first half for Milwaukee, while Giddey led Chicago with 11.
Chicago salvaged the finale of the four-game season series with its Central Division rivals to take a 138-137 edge against Milwaukee all-time.
Giddey has eight triple-doubles this season.