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Roberto Ruiz

The surprise playoff team in the Eastern Conference this year was predicted by all credible experts to be a lottery team. The surprise playoff team was supposed to benefit from another top draft selection to further deepen a roster already brimming with young talent. The team was supposed to be learning the new system of the new coach, as well as learning what it takes to win in the NBA. The Milwaukee Bucks are the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

When the Bucks traded away Brandon Knight, the team leader in points, assists, and steals per game in the middle of the season, many thought they were sacrificing the present to prepare for the future. Michael Carter-Williams has settled in nicely as the starting point guard after struggling initially, helping hold the Bucks in the sixth position, a position they have held most of the season.

The Bucks reward for making the playoffs is the Chicago Bulls, meaning Bulls fans will be swarming into the Bradley Center for each Bucks home game. Let’s take a look at how the Bucks match up with the Bulls position by position.

Point Guard: Michael Carter-Williams vs Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose has been injured more often than not during his NBA career, and is coming back from another knee surgery just in time to play in the playoffs. He is a shadow of the player he once was, and I expect him to struggle with the size and length of Carter-Williams at both ends of the floor. Carter-Williams rarely looks to shoot, but Rose may be a great point guard for Carter-Williams to attack against.

Advantage: Bucks

Shooting Guard: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler, a Marquette University alum, was never supposed to be this good. Butler has led the Bulls in scoring this year and has proved to be a weapon from beyond the arc. Butler has struggled against the Bucks and their length of the defensive end, though, only shooting 42% and averaging 14.8 points per game, 5.2 below his season average. Antetokounmpo hasn’t shown the ability to take over games at this point in his career, but he has displayed a viciousness that has eluded him to this point in his NBA career after being benched by Coach Jason Kidd last week.

Advantage: Bulls

Small Forward: Khris Middleton vs Mike Dunleavy

Dunleavy’s only real strength lies in his ability to hit spot-up 3’s. His age and defense are real concerns for the Bulls and fortunately for the Bucks, Middleton may be the guy to take advantage of those concerns. Middleton is a key cog in the Bucks’ machine and a strong playoff series could promise even more riches after the season ends.

Advantage: Bucks

Power Forward: Ersan Ilysasova vs Pau Gasol

This is the matchup that could prove to be the death-knell for the Bucks. Gasol has beaten up the Bucks on the boards and in the paint in three of the four matchups this season. It is no coincidence that the Bucks have lost those three matchups with the Bulls, but won the most recent game when Gasol struggled. The Bucks seemed to defend him differently the last game and they need to hope it continues to work in a playoff series. Ilyasova will need a lot of help and needs to have the series of his career for the Bucks to advance.

Advantage: Bulls

Center: John Henson vs Joakim Noah

Noah is undoubtedly the star in Chicago. Noah is the heart of this team and his passion for winning a championship can be seen during any Bulls broadcast. Henson has been a strong defender all year, and will need to limit Noah while simultaneously helping Ilyasova with Gasol. Henson has proven valuable to the Bucks and will need to step up in a big way whether Ilyasova helps out or not.

Advantage: Bulls

Coach: Jason Kidd vs Tom Thibodeau

Kidd should have more chatter as coach of the year after leading this squad to the playoffs, while Thibodeau has been rumored as being pushed out the door during the most recent offseason. It would be tough to let Thibodeau go after he led the Bulls to a top three seed again this season.

Advantage: Even

Bench: Jared Dudley, OJ Mayo, Jerryd Bayless vs Nikola Mirotic, Kirk Hinrich, Taj Gibson

The clear edge here goes to Mirotic and the Bulls. While the first three of the bench for the Bucks have proven very valuable as the season has progressed, they simply do not have the firepower that the Bulls do when they go eight deep.

Advantage: Bulls

Series Prediction: Bulls in 6