Chicago Bulls Schedule: 5 compelling matchups over first half of season

2. Friday January 1st @ Milwaukee Bucks

The first rivalry game between the Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks will take place early on, and I guarantee you, these guys cannot wait for this one. Just months after the Bucks were bounced from the Eastern Conference Playoffs, they will look to recapture the supremacy of the conference.

Milwaukee lost 4-1 to the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs, and a big part of that series was Giannis Antetekounmpo’s injury. Now healthy, Giannis is on a mission to get to the Finals and win a championship — and Milwaukee better hope they did enough to keep him around.

Over the shortened offseason, the Bucks traded for All Star point guard Jrue Holiday in hopes they could appease Giannis into staying in Milwaukee long-term. After this season, his contract will be up, and the last thing Milwaukee wants to see is Giannis leave the Bucks — especially after trading such a haul to land Holiday.

Chicago will also see a familiar face in this one. Former Bulls forward Bobby Portis signed with the Bucks over the offseason after being let go by the New York Knicks. Milwaukee bolstered their front court depth in a big way when they signed Portis. He’s a guy Bulls fans grew to love and would definitely take him back in a heartbeat.