Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
As the NBA playoffs get underway this weekend, Sunday evening features the first game of an Eastern Conference showdown between the No. 6 Chicago Bulls and the No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks will host this one at Fiserv Forum, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 pm ET.
To say that the Bucks have dominated the Bulls in recent years is a bit of an understatement. They have won 16 of their last 17 games. There is also a lack of confidence from the Bulls, as they went just 2-21 against each conference’s top-four teams.
Finishing the regular season 46-36 overall, Chicago lost six of their last ten games while also going just 19-22 away from the Windy City.
For Milwaukee, they finished the regular season 51-31, including going 6-4 in their last 10. At Fiserv Forum this season, the Bucks are 27-14.
The Bucks are the overwhelming favorites to win this game playing at home. They are -590 to win while the Bulls’ moneyline sits at +430. The spread features Chicago +10, and the over/under for total points is 229.
In terms of the series, the Bucks have the best odds of any team of winning the series at -1100. The Bulls are +700 to move onto the second round.
By The Numbers
Milwaukee had one of the best offenses in basketball this season. They rank third in scoring averaging 115.5 points per game. The Bulls rank 13th averaging 111.6 points (109 on the road.
Defensively, it is the Bulls with the slight advantage. They rank 16th in scoring defense allowing opponents an average of 112 points per game. The Bucks rank 20th allowing 112.1 points.
Shorthanded Bulls Look to Pull Of Upset
Chicago has dealt with a myriad of injuries all season long, and while they will be without star point guard Lonzo Ball, head coach Billy Donovan knows injuries aren’t an excuse. Still, he will need to get his star players playing at a high level while trying to figure out a way to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Leading the way for the Bulls offensively is the two-headed monster of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. In 76 games this season, DeRozan averaged 27.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. Not to be outdone, LaVine averaged 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
Other offensive threats include Nikola Vucevic (17.6 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists, one steal, one block), Coby White (12.7 points, three rebounds, 2.9 assists), Patrick Williams (9 points, 4.1 rebounds), and Ayo Dosunmu (8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists).
Giannis And Bucks Can’t Look Past Bulls
At +200, the Milwaukee Bucks are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Still, despite their favored status and their previous success against Chicago, they can’t afford to take the Bulls lightly.
Trying to keep his team laser-focused, All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo will lead the Bucks Sunday night. During the regular season, he averaged 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Khris Middleton also put up big numbers this year, averaging 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Other contributors include Jrue Holiday (18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals), Bobby Portis (14.6 points, 9.1 rebounds), and Grayson Allen (11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds).
Take The Bucks To Cover
There is a reason that this Bucks team has the best odds of winning the conference and second-best odds of winning the NBA Finals (+480). Their top three rival most teams in the league, and Giannis is one of the biggest matchup nightmares that exists.
The Bucks are also 7-0 against the Bulls over the last couple of years, and they are 7-2 in their last nine home games overall.
Expect the Bucks to come out and make a statement in this one. Despite how good DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are, they may not have enough to slow down the “Greek Freak” and company.
Take Milwaukee to both win straight up and to cover the 10-point spread.
