G Derrick Rose – 17.7 ppg, 4.9 apg
G Jimmy Butler – 20.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg
F Mike Dunleavy – 9.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg
F Pau Gasol – 18.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg
C Joakim Noah – 7.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4.7 apg
The Chicago Bulls wasted little time grabbing control in this series as they took a sizeable lead in the first half of Game 1 and held off the Milwaukee Bucks the rest of the way for the 103-91 victory. Can the Bulls hold serve on their home court, or will the Bucks steal a game on the road?
Projected Starting Lineups
(3) Chicago Bulls (50-32)
G Michael Carter-Williams –14.1 ppg, 5.6 apg
G Khris Middleton – 13.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg
F Giannis Antetokounmpo – 12.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg
F Ersan Ilyasova – 11.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg
C Zaza Pachulia – 8.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg
What to watch for:
Can Derrick Rose maintain his aggressiveness?
Derrick Rose looked like the old Derrick Rose in Game 1, playing with reckless abandon and attacking the rim with ferocity. We didn't see a lot of that Derrick Rose this year as he seemed more concerned with protected his injured knees than anything else, but he looked so excited to be out on the court against the Bucks in the playoffs, and that allowed him to play more aggressively. If he can play with the same intensity, excitement, and aggressiveness, Chicago will win Game 2 easily.
Can Michael Carter-Williams find his groove?
Carter-Williams struggled mightily in Game 1, scoring just nine points on 4-13 shooting and dishing out just three assists. Milwaukee relies on MCW to get their offense going and create shots for himself and others, and the Bulls absolutely stifled him on Saturday. Off shooting nights will happen in the playoffs, but Carter-Williams needs to have at least seven assists and keep the ball moving for the Bucks to have any chance at winning.
Prediction: Bulls win 105-91
Chicago held Milwaukee to 39.3 percent shooting (including 25 percent from long-range) in Game 1, and I expect their defense to take over again in Game 2 as the Bulls grab another easy victory.
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