By Richard Kagan

The Chicago Bulls played its fifth game without G Kris Dunn, and their offense is struggling. The Bulls could not match the Milwaukee Bucks and after a 61-42 Bucks half-time lead, this game was not in doubt.

The Bucks were led by 27 points, nine rebounds, and eights assists from Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak, and won easily 110-96, sending the Bulls to its 4th straight defeat.

Kris Dunn has missed five straight games after his fall, face first to the court, at the United Center.  He is recovering from a concussion and displaced front teeth.  Apparently he is still not ready to practice, and the Bulls have no timetable for his return.

Chicago (18-32) saw Zach LaVine have another off-shooting game, in which he went 2 for 11 from the field. LaVine is recovering from ACL surgery to his knee and is slowly working his way back to game shape. Justin Holiday shot 4 for 13 and Bobby Portis went 1 for 9 in the game, contributing to the Bulls going for  41% from the floor.  The Bulls offense has suffered with Dunn out. Nikola Mirotic scored 10 points, well off his game average.  Denzel Valentine came off the bench and had a game high 18 points for the Bulls. Lauri Markkanen scored 17 for Chicago.

Milwaukee got 20 points from Khris Middleton and had a good game from veteran Jason Terry, who came off the bench and hit 4 three-pointers.  In the second half, Chicago played catch-up and trailed most of the third quarter by 15-17 points. The Bulls didn’t have a run in them.

The Bucks won its third game in a row since interim coach Joe Prunty took over for the departed Jason Kidd.

The Bulls have been beset by injuries to the roster for a good portion of the season. Mirotic was out for weeks, then LaVine came back to the team, now Kris Dunn is out. Jerian Grant scored 15 points in the game but Chicago is missing Dunn’s floor leadership skills.