Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks big three maintain near undefeated 2021-22 record after win vs. Bulls

Kane Pitman

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks big three maintain near undefeated 2021-22 record after win vs. Bulls image

If you haven't checked the standings for a while, you'll be quick to notice something familiar about the top of the Eastern Conference.

The Milwaukee Bucks are once again among the East's elite after their slow start to the season.

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Their 94-90 win over the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum on Friday night is the first time the Bucks have won consecutive games in nearly three weeks since Jan. 1.

More importantly, the win extends the team's near undefeated record when their Big 3 of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are in the lineup.

Middleton (13 missed), Holiday (14 games) and Antetokounmpo (nine games) have been hampered by various ailments throughout the first half of the season, in addition to starting center Brook Lopez who has only managed to appear in the opening night festivities due to a back injury that has now forced him into surgery. 

As they did through the 2021 championship run, the Bucks three stars take turns taking over the game. Against Chicago, Antetokounmpo stuffed the stat sheet while Khris Middleton came up big late in the fourth quarter.

Entering the game against the Bulls, the unit of Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Holiday ranked 11th among 3-man Milwaukee units for minutes played, highlighting how little they have had the opportunity to share the floor.

For comparison, last season the group ranked sixth in the same category.

The Bucks big three getting it done (via NBA.com)

  Minutes Ortg Drtg Net
2020-21 922 116.3 103.7 +12.7
2021-22 322 112.7 104.3 +5.6

Without Lopez in the lineup, the Bucks have turned to Bobby Portis as the starting five, with DeMarcus Cousins a recent addition to the big man rotation. Despite the loss of their defensive anchor, the Bucks are ranked sixth in the league for their defensive rating.

Sitting in the bottom third for offensive and defensive efficiency in the opening weeks of the season, the Bucks now rank in the Top 10 on offense and defense.

In a season where injuries and health and safety protocols are playing a major part in the regular season story, banking wins feels more important than ever.

For now at least, the Bucks big three haven't wasted a single opportunity.

Kane Pitman

Kane Pitman Photo