From the moment the opening tip went up, the Chicago Bulls had complete control of Game 6 as they coasted past the Bucks to advance to the second round.
Bulls vs. Bucks, 2015 NBA playoff results: Chicago blows out Bucks in Game 6 for series win
The Bulls blow out Milwaukee and move onto a second round matchup with LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The final score was 120-66 -- the largest margin ever in an NBA series-clinching game -- but the game was decided long before that. The Bulls led 34-16 after the first quarter and 84-38 about halfway through the third quarter. It was a complete, unmitigated rout, with Chicago determined to avoid the embarrassment of letting a team down 3-0 force a Game 7.
After combining for 14 turnovers in the previous two losses, Derrick Rose was excellent on Thursday, tallying a line of 15 points, seven assists, five rebounds and just two turnovers in 25 minutes. Jimmy Butler was his usual magnificent self, scoring 16 points on 7-14 shooting while nabbing four steals and five rebounds for good measure. To further illustrate how lopsided this game was, Rose was plus-41 for the evening while Butler was plus-46.
Rapid ball movement and unbending defense led the way for Chicago, who made the Bucks look as young as they actually are. While Milwaukee could have played better, they had no realistic chance on Thursday even on their home floor.
Here are three things we learned.
1. A physical series ended exactly the way it was played
Coming into Game 6, 14 technical and three flagrant fouls had been called. Unfortunately, this Giannis Antetokounmpo tackle -- retaliation for a Mike Dunleavy shove the play before -- was the series' fourth flagrant and earned the young Buck a quick ejection.
Milwaukee went after Dunleavy again a little later in the game, turning this game into an unfortunate parallel of the Lakers' Game 4 loss to the Mavericks in 2011. Dallas took a 25-point lead in the second quarter -- hitting 20 three-pointers for the game -- and Los Angeles didn't take kindly to it, with both Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum getting ejected in the second half.
2. Say goodbye to an enjoyable Milwaukee season
The ugly, season-ending flagrant fouls aside, the Bucks had a wonderful season. Earning a playoff spot one year after having the NBA's worst record is something to be proud of, and Jason Kidd should earn much of the credit for Milwaukee's turnaround.
Retaining Khris Middleton this summer will be important, because the Bucks really do have an identity growing in Milwaukee with an army of players with top-notch athleticism and ptereodactyl-esque wingspans. With a summer of tutelage under Kidd, Michael Carter-Williams' growth will be crucial for the Bucks to develop into the team they want to be next season.
3. The Bulls are ready for LeBron
Of the 16 playoff teams, Chicago's defense is No. 1. A large part of that is Milwaukee's struggling offense, of course, but Chicago is also finally healthy. Joakim Noah is looking like the defensive anchor we're all used to, while Butler is just as incredible.
Without Kevin Love, the Cavaliers don't look quite as invincible as they did a week ago. This series is setting up to be fantastic.
See More:
