Coby White scores 35, Bulls roll past Bucks 133-122 to get in the win column

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Coby White scored 35 points, and the hot-shooting Chicago Bulls spoiled Milwaukee’s home opener with a 133-122 victory over the Bucks on Friday.

Zach LaVine added 25 points, Nikola Vucevic had 22 and Josh Giddey scored 17 for the Bulls, who shot 21 of 47 from 3-point range.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 38 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Damian Lillard had 28 points, but only went 3 of 12 from deep.

After the first three minutes of the third quarter featured five lead changes, the Bulls broke a 72-all tie and pulled ahead for good by scoring seven straight points.

Takeaways

Coby White scores 35, Bulls roll past Bucks 133-122 to get in the win column | iNFOnews.ca — Chicago Bulls’ Dalen Terry fouls Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Bulls: White was just two points off his career high of 37 points he scored against Sacramento last season. … Lonzo Ball didn’t play for the Bulls, two days after participating in his first regular-season game since Jan. 14, 2022, as he comes back from multiple knee surgeries. He will be available for their home opener Saturday.

Bucks: Two nights after they looked sharp in a 124-109 season-opening victory at Philadelphia, the Bucks struggled badly on defense and didn’t give Antetokounmpo and Lillard enough help on offense. … Khris Middleton remained out as he recovers from offseason surgeries to each of his ankles.

Key moment

After Milwaukee’s A.J. Green made a pair of 3-pointers in the first minute of the fourth quarter to cut Chicago’s lead to 102-101, Patrick Williams answered with a 3-pointer of his own. Williams’ basket started a 13-1 run, and the Bucks never seriously threatened again.

Key stat