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The Bernstein Brief: Bulls-Bucks Series Is Empty Calories

By Dan Bernstein--
CBSChicago.com senior columnist

(CBS) The Bulls and Bucks in the first round of the NBA playoffs is the equivalent of empty calories.

We know the main course has been ordered and is coming out soon enough -- the medium-rare ribeye steak that is the matchup with LeBron James and the Cavaliers -- but here we sit filling up on bread.

A team can afford to have as miserable a first half as Chicago did Monday because Milwaukee will always revert to taking enough contested jump shots to let a patient, responsible opponent back in the game. You can count on the Bucks' "my turn" possessions in the half court without the benefit of a true point guard. Their lack of a rim protector on the other end opens dribble penetration that results in both free-throw attempts and open shots.

None of this is predictive for the series that matters, either, and the Bucks' play-acting as thugs now could only get somebody hurt. I'm for petitioning the league to call this series over and move on.

Bulls fans are hungry, but not for more of this.

Dan Bernstein is a co-host of 670 The Score's "Boers and Bernstein Show" in afternoon drive. Follow him on Twitter  @dan_bernstein and read more of his columns here.

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