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Facing elimination on Wednesday, the Bulls will likely have to take the floor in Milwaukee without All-Star Zach LaVine.
LaVine has entered health and safety protocols, the Bulls announced Tuesday afternoon. As a result, he is expected to miss Game 5 against the Bucks, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
LaVine has been a force for the Bulls throughout the 2021–22 campaign on his way to earning a second straight All-Star selection. He averaged 24.4 points, 4.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 47.6% from the floor and 38.9% from beyond the arc during the regular season.
Alongside fellow All-Star DeMar Derozan, LaVine powered the Bulls to their best regular season finish since 2014–15. Chicago posted a 46–36 record, clinching the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
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Unfortunately, the Bulls weren’t exactly rewarded for their efforts as their strong season set up an opening round playoff matchup with the defending NBA champions. The Bucks have leapt out to a 3–1 series lead and have pulled out back-to-back victories by 24 points or more in the last two games.
LaVine in particular has been slowed down by Milwaukee’s stout defense thus far in the series. The 27-year-old wing has averaged 19.3 points and 6.0 assists per game, shooting 42.9% from the field and 37.5% from deep.
The Bucks will now have a chance to close out the series in front of a home crowd and likely without Lavine available for the Bulls. Game 5 is scheduled to tip-off on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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