The Milwaukee Bucks have moved their Oct. 23 home opener against the Bulls to an afternoon tipoff. ESPN reported the change was made to avoid a direct conflict with Game 1 of the World Series, which the Brewers are hosting that night. Yahoo Sports described it as the Bucks making way for the Brewers' "long-awaited" return to the Series.

CBS Sports (Jack Maloney) noted the Fall Classic is coming to Milwaukee for the first time since 1982, and that the event affects the NBA schedule. The summaries we have do not give the exact tipoff time, so we are not stating one. They also don't say whether the league or the clubs initiated the change, or what the new start means for broadcast arrangements. ESPN is the only outlet whose summary gives the date and the afternoon slot.

The opener will be the Bucks' first home game against Chicago since the Bulls came to Milwaukee last Wednesday. Chicago won that game 125-104 in the Oct. 14 meeting, which was the Bucks' home date this season so far, and it left Milwaukee 0-2 in the young season's early going before a turnaround.

Milwaukee is 2-3 and third in the Central. It won its most recent game, 128-127 at Indiana on Friday, Oct. 16, after losses to Chicago and 105-90 at Charlotte on Oct. 11. The Bulls are 3-2 and second in the division, riding a two-game winning streak after a 133-116 win over Minnesota on Friday. The Pistons lead the Central at 3-1.

Before the opener, the Bucks play at Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Chicago visits Toronto the same night. That sets up a Friday afternoon rematch in Milwaukee, with the Brewers' first Series home game following that evening.