(Sports Network) - The Chicago Bulls try to push their series winning streak
over the Milwaukee Bucks to 10 games in a row on Monday night, when the teams
conclude a home-and-home set at the United Center.
The Bulls drew first blood with a 93-86 triumph at Milwaukee on Saturday,
paced by 22 points and 19 rebounds from Carlos Boozer. Richard Hamilton added
a season-high 22 points, going 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.
Chicago was 25-of-26 from the charity stripe, compared to 7-of-10 by
Milwaukee.
Luol Deng added 14 points and eight rebounds while Kirk Hinrich had 10 points
for the Bulls, who snapped a three-game slide and wrapped a five-game road
trip with a 2-3 mark. Monday marks the first of four straight at home for
Chicago.
"I thought we had some timely offensive rebounds," Bulls head coach Tom
Thibodeau said. "I thought Kirk did a good job keeping us organized
throughout."
Chicago has won all four of its games this season in which it has held its
opponent under 90 points and Milwaukee could struggle to crack that figure if
Brandon Jennings can't go.
Jennings had a game-high 23 points for the Bucks on Saturday, but left the
game with 23.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter after rolling his ankle.
Jennings, who leads the NBA with 3.45 steals per game after notching five
versus Chicago, is listed as questionable.
Monta Ellis added 17 points and six boards while Beno Udrih contributed 12
points for the Bucks, who have lost three straight.
"Almost every time they get up and get into us," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said
of Chicago's defense. "It causes us to dribble a little too much. When we're
dribbling around we're missing shots. We didn't have our typical ball movement
tonight."
Skiles shook up his starting lineup for the first time this season, inserting
Joel Przybilla at center in place of Samuel Dalembert. Skiles may have to come
up with something different again on Monday as Milwaukee shoots for its first
win over Chicago since April 6, 2010 in the Windy City.
Milwaukee's nine-game losing streak to Chicago is its longest current slide
against any one opponent, while the Bulls' run over the Bucks is tied for its
second-longest active win streak. Chicago has bested the Detroit Pistons in 15
straight meetings and has also won nine in a row over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Bulls have won four straight and 12 of their last 13 at home over the
Bucks.
The Sports Network