Game 1 began with too much offense. Game 2 began with not enough offense. Offensively, the start of Game 3 was just right. Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler started out scoring well, but the Bucks were able to go on enough of a run to take a 27-25 lead early on. A last-second Rose floater tied the game at 27 after 12 minutes of action.

In the second quarter, the young Bucks absolutely took off. They forced turnovers on top of turnovers on top of turnovers, and converted them into easy fastbreak opportunities on the other end. Milwaukee then went on a 24-6 run and they lead 49-31 with about 6 minutes left in the half. A big part of that was Giannis Antetokounmpo looking more comfortable offensively and continuing to look brilliant on defense. The Greak Freek hardly looked like the same player who shot 25% from the field in his first two playoff games. He lead all players in scoring at the half with 17 points. Another big part of that run was the spark provided by John Henson and Jared Dudley off the bench. Henson had 9 points and 16 rebounds at the break; Dudley had 10. It surely looked like the Bucks grabbed the bull by the horns.

With six minutes left in the half, the Bulls only saw red and charged back with a vengeance. A smaller run brought the game within four at the half as the Bucks lead, 53-49.

In the second half, the Bulls were able to continue surging and they lead by double-digits in the fourth quarter. Tony Snell hit two big triples that seemed to be nails in the coffin. But in the final minutes of regulation, the Bucks were able to storm back and take a one-point lead. Khris Middleton was the one wearing the cape after making two big threes of his own. With 4.9 seconds left in the game, Derrick Rose was sent to the line, but he split the free throws. Khris Middleton couldn't put the game away and fans were awarded some free playoff basketball.

At the end of regulation, Derrick Rose led all scorers with 28 points but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler also scored 20+ for their respective teams. Middleton, Carter-Williams, Henson and Dudley all scored in double figures for Milwaukee. Henson also had 12 rebounds.  For Chicago, Dunleavy, Gasol, and Snell joined Rose and Butler in the double-digit scoing club. Joakim Noah only had 2 points, but he was a great glue guy and his 11 rebounds cannot be ignored.

It sure was nice to see the Bucks finally string together a full game's worth without falling in too big of a hole. A tie game after 48 minutes is nothing to scoff at and it is certainly an improvement after losing by a combined 21 points in their last two. The score at the end of regulation was 95-95.

Six more points were scored by each team and the game was sent into a second overtime, tied 101-101. Once again, Milwaukee couldn't make the final shot to end the game.

In the second, and final, overtime, Rose really put the team on his back. The former-MVP scored six big points, and that was enough for the Bulls to sustain the lead and steal a win on the road. Chicago outscored Milwaukee 12-5 in the final five minutes of the game. Also, multiple costly turnovers and a lack of experience did the Bucks no favors down the stretch. It was a great effort from Milwaukee, but not enough to get a win.

The Chicago Bulls now lead the series 3-0 and will look to finish the series on Saturday at 5:30 pm EST on TNT.

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About the author
Jeffrey Waitkevich
I write about basketball and tennis. I am a strong believer in Magic but only in Orlando.