NBA: Bulls hold off rival Bucks, end modest skid

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) after scoring a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of an NBA game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Josh Giddey returned from a four-game absence to record a 23-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, and his go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining in regulation helped the Chicago Bulls beat the visiting Milwaukee Bucks 116-111 in the NBA on Saturday.

Giddey had been sidelined by a sprained right ankle but came out strong and did not slow down in his 29 minutes of action. He became the first Bull to register two triple-doubles in a season since Jimmy Butler had a pair during the 2016-17 campaign.

READ: NBA: Josh Giddey embraces fresh start with Bulls

Giddey’s 3-pointer with 71 seconds to go gave Chicago a 109-108 lead, with Patrick Williams quickly extending the margin to 111-108 when he swiped the ball from Khris Middleton on a drive and went coast to coast for a layup.

Brook Lopez responded with a game-tying 3-pointer, capping his 22-point night for Milwaukee, but Coby White put the Bulls ahead for good with a pullup jumper on the ensuing possession. Giddey came up with a rebound on a Middleton miss Milwaukee’s next time down, and his subsequent free throws put the game away.

White finished with 22 points and Nikola Vucevic added 23 points, 13 rebounds and five assists to help Chicago snap a three-game losing streak. The Bulls also got 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds from Zach LaVine.

READ: NBA: Nikola Vucevic puts up 39 as Bulls dump Spurs

Milwaukee, playing without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (illness), welcomed Damian Lillard back to the lineup following a four-game absence.

Lillard scored a game-high 29 points and dished out 12 assists without committing a turnover but went scoreless in the game’s final 7:15.

Middleton scored 21 points for the Bucks and went 4-for-6 from 3-point range, while Bobby Portis finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Chicago held a 62-60 edge at the break despite letting Middleton go off for 17 points through the first 24 minutes of action. The Bulls scored the first five points of the third quarter, but Milwaukee later moved in front on a Portis triple with 5:57 remaining in the period.

That was the most either team would lead by for the rest of the third, which ended with the Bucks ahead 84-83. –-Field Level Media