Snell powers Bulls past Bucks

CHICAGO, USA – Tony Snell came off the bench to deliver 20 points as the Chicago Bulls posted their sixth victory in their last 7 NBA contests with a 87-71 win over Milwaukee on Monday, February 23 (Tuesday in Manila).

Snell recorded his third 20-point game in his last 5 for Chicago who also dominated on the glass with a 62-41 rebounding edge. Snell had posted just one 20 point game in his career prior to his latest hot streak.

Nikola Mirotic tallied 16 points and 14 rebounds off the bench as he and Snell were given extra playing time because of an illness to sixth man Taj Gibson.

Pau Gasol finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, Jimmy Butler scored 11 and had 9 rebounds and Joakim Noah grabbed a game-high 16 boards at the United Center Arena.

“We hit the glass pretty well,” said Noah.

Khris Middleton paced the Buck’s attack with 17 points and Ersan Ilyasova had 15 points and 11 rebounds in a rare start. The Bucks shot 33.7% from the floor and missed all but 4 of their 18 three-point attempts.

“It was not a hot shooting performance by either team,” said Bucks coach Jason Kidd. “We had some great looks that just didn’t go down for us.”

Derrick Rose scored 5 points during a 7-0 run early in the game that gave the Bulls a lead that it would keep for the remainder of the contest. Snell scored 5 points during a 9-0 surge later in the opening quarter, and the Bulls led 21-15 heading into the second.

Chicago busted the game open early in the second quarter, as Snell’s three pointer at 5:25 extended the lead to 37-19.

Milwaukee never got close the rest of the way. – Rappler.com