Zach Lavine is the Chicago Bulls top scorer and rebounder but he did not need to do that much against the Milwaukee Bucks. They won the game and Doc Rivers think there’s one player that stood out and punished them.

Dec 28, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) after scoring a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Josh Giddey notched his 13th triple double after recording 23-15-10 in 111-105 win against the visiting Bucks.

Lavine had 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.

For Rivers, much of the damage done against them happened through Giddey’s execution. His three late in game did not matter that much.

“I thought their most valuable player all game was Josh Giddey,” the Bucks coach told reporters post-game.

“Even before he made 3s. He didn’t even have to make a 3. He just pushed the ball up the floor, got into the paint and just created havoc. He dominated and controlled the entire game.”

Damian Lillard made his return after a three-game absence, scoring 29 points and handing out 12 assists.

Dec 28, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Khris Middleton scored 21 points while Brook Lopez had 22.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, 32 points a night, still did not play.

Doc Rivers rues Bucks’ weak defense

It was a close game but Rivers thought thought there was a lot of things they can fix. Giddey had a career game but there are other facets of the game he thinks they can do better.

First is Lillard’s lack of touches in the last five minutes which Rivers should they should do better a better job of.

Dec 28, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) passes the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) and guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Another is their defense. He said the team had no defensive presence the entire night.

“It felt like we were playing with fool’s gold the entire night. I thought defensively we had no presence the entire night…I just didn’t think we controlled the ball. I don’t even think it was the pick-and-rolls. I thought we never controlled the ball.”