The Milwaukee Bucks started their NBA Cup defense with a victory behind 41 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Chicago Bulls look like the best team in the Eastern Conference despite one of their more promising players missing time with injury.

32 points. 10 boards. 9 dimes. Josh Giddey leads the @chicagobulls to their first 5-0 start since the 1996-1997 season 🤯 They also move to 1-0 in East Group C play in the @emirates NBA Cup Tournament! pic.twitter.com/XHrGR141fc

The Chicago Bulls were projected to be a middle-of-the-pack team in the Eastern Conference this season, despite being one of the best teams down the stretch las

The Chicago Bulls have broken out as one of the best teams in the NBA, and their best player credits his tumultuous past for his success.

Coby White is close to being cleared to play for the Chicago Bulls. He’s unconcerned about his fit into the team’s new system.

Determination: Fiction. The Bulls are not for real. At least not in the "true threat" sense. But they are fun, and that is a whole lot better than they have been, and it matters in this year's Eastern Conference, when any playoff series can be won, so enjoy this while it lasts, for the middle is an awful place to be.

It'll be intriguing to see Chicago Bulls swingman Isaac Okoro compete against his former Cleveland Cavaliers team on his old stomping grounds.

Chicago Bulls (6-2, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (6-3, third in the Eastern Conference) Cleveland; Saturday, 7 p.m. CST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cavaliers -8; over/under is 240.