NBA playoffs schedule and results: Bulls surge late to top Bucks, Warriors handle Pelicans

The Bucks shot just over 39 percent in the 103-91 Game 1 loss on Saturday, playing right into the Bulls’ hands by taking nearly 42 percent of their shots from the mid-range area. Tom Thibodeau’s Bulls teams have always done a good job forcing teams into those mid-range attempts and taking away the three-point line. That was a key factor in that Game 1 victory.

Milwaukee made it a point to attack the rim more in Game 2, and according to SportVU, the Bucks had 40 drives on the night (Carter-Williams had 12 himself) to just 19 for Chicago. Also, when you look at the shot chart, you see that they had a higher percentage of shots at the rim and less from mid-range:

Milwaukee got to the postseason by using its athletes to lock teams down defensively and cause turnovers for easy buckets. The smothering defensive pressure is still there in the playoffs -- as the collective length takes away space -- while the Bucks’ rotations are crisp. It just doesn’t look like it will be enough to pull off an upset on the Bulls without the three-point shooting to take advantage of the stops the Bucks get.

The Bulls shot 38 percent from the floor but got 12 three-pointers to the Milwaukee’s’ four. The Bucks are usually at a disadvantage on offense because they lack a dominant player who can score on his own and get to the line. If their shooters don’t step up, the series could be short. It will be hard for them to keep up with even a mediocre offensive team like Chicago.

Zaza Pachulia has a way of getting under people’s skin. It’s why he elbowed Nikola Mirotic on a rebound.

And it’s why Mirotic bear-hugged him and later shoved him on a loose ball.

The Bulls and Bucks could build a mansion with all the bricks they’ve thrown up on Monday night, but Jimmy Butler is taking things into his own hands in the fourth quarter.

My heavens.

To put this in perspective, here’s a simple shot chart:

The Bulls and Bucks momentarily turned a basketball game into a shoving match midway through the second quarter when Chicago Aaron Brooks’ was run over by Milwaukee’s John Henson. Brooks appeared to be trying to draw a charge as Henson crossed the halfcourt line and was knocked over by a sprinting Henson.

The two teams started shoving at halfcourt, with Jimmy Butler and O.J. Mayo needing to be separated. The officials assessed four technical fouls and a personal foul on Aaron Brooks on the play. Mayo and Henson received a T for the Bucks, while Butler and Joakim Noah were assessed technicals for the Bulls.