The Chicago Bulls obliterated the Milwaukee Bucks 120-66 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal round. Mike Dunleavy had a game-high 20 points for the Bulls, who had all five starters score in double figures. Zaza Pachulia had a team-high 8 points for the Bucks, who didn’t have any players score in double figures.
The Bulls won by the third largest margin of victory in NBA Playoff history.
Chicago got off to a hot 17-6 start in the first quarter. The Bulls had 7 assists on their first 7 field goals, which included 8 points from Mike Dunleavy in the first five minutes of the game. It was a 34-16 Bulls advantage after the first quarter, which was the highest scoring quarter of this series. Pau Gasol finished with 13 points in the first quarter, Derrick Rose had 5 assists, and the Bulls closed the quarter with 11 assists on 14 made field goals.
The Bulls had no let up in the second quarter, forcing the Bucks into incessant turnovers and bad shots. Their lead mounted to 30 points by midway through the quarter, and when the Bulls really got rolling, Giannis Antetokounmpo got himself ejected for this play on Mike Dunleavy:
The Bulls won the second quarter 31-17. Their 32-point lead at the half was their largest halftime lead in a playoff game in franchise history. Jason Kidd conceded after several more minutes of the onslaught in the third quarter, subbing in his non-rotation reserves. The Bulls’ scorching start to the game was simply too demanding for the young Bucks, who fought respectably and valiantly to win Games 4 and 5 to force Game 6, but just didn’t possess the firepower to contend with the Bulls, who were simply clicking on all cylinders.
Next up for the Bulls: the Cleveland Cavaliers. Game 1 is on Monday at 7 PM EST on TNT.
