The Bucks improved by 26 games from last season after finishing with an NBA-worst 15-67 record two seasons ago. They are well-coached, have a good bench and are past their early playoff jitters. This is an effort-team with heart.




Now they are home for the first time in the series. This is the season for Milwaukee. The Bucks are shooting just 37.4 percent in the series. They have missed 25 of 33 shots from 3-point range. Chicago's defense is down a notch this season.




The Bucks have just missed covering during the first two games. I see the Bucks shooting better and playing their best game of the series. This is their game to win.




The Bucks have doubled teamed Pau Gasol and bottled up the Bulls inside. It has been Chicago's outside shooting and clutch 3-pointers - particularly by Jimmy Butler - that has kept the Bucks from covering. Butler is a fine player. But he's not a 28-point per game scorer.




The Bulls may be without Nikola Mirotic, who suffered a knee and quad injury during Game 2. That would weaken an already thin Chicago bench.