Can Bogoljub Markovic and the summer Bucks get back on track after two disappointing losses?
The Milwaukee Bucks will play their final game of the round-robin portion of Summer League against the Chicago Bulls this afternoon. Both teams are 1-2 and will not be making the four-team playoff that takes place this weekend. With nothing tangible on the line at this point, it’ll be interesting to see how the two division rivals approach this contest.
Where We’re At
The vibes have plummeted for the summer Bucks since their initial win against Denver. They’ve dropped two straight games in disappointing fashion. On Saturday, Cleveland outhustled and outmatched them from start to finish, dominating the rebounding and free throw battles. Against the Clippers, Milwaukee struggled mightily to score in the absence of Jamaree Bouyea. They missed their first ten field goals in the fourth quarter, which ultimately nailed their coffin shut after what was a competitive game for a while. To make things worse, Tyler Smith and Andre Jackson Jr. have shown very little to be excited about. AJax has scored just 5.7 points while turning it over 3.3 times per game, and Smith is shooting a horrid 5.6% (1/18) from three. Yes, you read that right.
The Bulls are coming off a quality win against Indiana, which they needed after being blown out twice to start their Vegas trip. In the game against the Pacers, Chicago’s two most recent lottery picks, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue, both had standout performances. Buzelis dropped 28 points and five rebounds, and Essengue added 21 points with three triples. Unfortunately, the latter also got posterized by Johnny Furphy, and a photo of his embarrassing facial expression during the dunk went viral.
Injury Report
Mark Sears, who’s been dealing with a calf strain, has yet to make his Summer League debut. Jamaree Bouyea missed Milwaukee’s last game with a thigh contusion. Official injury lists are not reported in Vegas, so we’ll find out at game time if those two are suiting up or not. Chicago is currently at full strength, but Matas Buzelis may get shut down soon as the team looks to preserve their All-Rookie forward for the upcoming regular season.
Player To Watch
Bogoljub Markovic has looked better with the passing of each game for the Bucks, and that trend could continue this afternoon. Chicago has a smaller, less physically imposing roster than Cleveland, Denver, and Los Angeles did, meaning Markovic shouldn’t get pushed around and played off the court. At this point, all signs point to the Serbian being stashed next season, but this game (and Friday’s) will be his chance to leave the right lasting impression for fans and the organization.
How To Watch
ESPN 2 and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 4:30 p.m. CDT.
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