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Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson
Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

First Round NBA Playoff action will resume Sunday evening with a heavyweight Central Division clash between the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. Coverage begins from Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT. 

Score Prediction

Bucks 116, Bulls 104

Best Bets

Under 228.5 (-110) at FanDuel

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Predictions

After finishing 11th in the East with a record of 31-41 SU last year, Chicago bounced back with a surprisingly triumphant start to this season, as the Bulls opened with an impressive 26-10 SU and 22-14 ATS run – while scoring 111.5 OPPG and allowing just 106.9 DPPG during that timeframe.

Unfortunately, Chicago has been decimated by health issues since mid-January, considering the Bulls closed out the regular season with a bumpy 20-26 SU and 20-25-1 ATS skid, which includes a 7-8 SU record without two-time All-Star Zach LaVine – and a record of 13-18 SU with him.

On the other hand, Milwaukee posted a surprisingly poor start to the season, as the Bucks kicked things off with a lackluster 6-8 SU and ATS skid – with four of those SU losses coming in matchups they were favored in.

However, the Bucks have quietly dominated since their brief opening skid, considering Milwaukee enters Sunday’s series opener riding a sturdy 45-23 SU and 33-35 ATS stretch – while tallying 117 OPPG and allowing just 112.7 DPPG across that window.

I’ll take the under here, as the Bucks cruised to last year’s NBA title while averaging 110.3 OPPG and surrendering 105.2 DPPG throughout the postseason – setting the stage for a relatively low-scoring battle against a Bulls squad that scored 110 PTS or less in 11 of their last 15 regular-season contests (108.6 OPPG).

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

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Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Resources

Chicago Bulls Betting Analysis

  • SU: 46-36
  • ATS: 42-39-1
  • O/U: 40-41-1

After last year’s lackluster 31-41 SU showing, the Bulls went out and made some bold acquisitions this past offseason, which ultimately reshaped their entire roster with LaVine now accompanied by a dynamic supporting cast that includes DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and others.

Chicago stalled out due to various health concerns down the stretch though, as the Bulls closed out their regular season campaign with a frustrating 20-26 SU and 20-25-1 ATS skid – with nearly a third of those SU losses coming in the absence of LaVine (8), and all of them coming without Lonzo (26).

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Analysis

  • SU: 51-31
  • ATS: 39-43
  • O/U: 43-39

After finishing with the best record in the East in two of the last three seasons, Milwaukee’s rough start was somewhat of a head-scratcher, considering the Bucks’ compiled a record of 162-65 SU across the previous three regular seasons, only to open this season with a lackluster 6-8 SU mark.

Milwaukee has played excellent, when healthy, since mid-November though, considering the Bucks closed out the season with a sturdy 45-23 SU run – with over a third of those losses coming in the absence of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (8).

The total has gone UNDER in six of the last eight matchups between the Bucks and Bulls. (Getty Images)

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Head-to-Head

Milwaukee won two-of-three regular-season matchups against Chicago last year, with both Bucks’ victories staying under the total at an average of 214 PPG, while the Bulls’ lone win cruised over with a score of 118-112 (O 225). The Bucks also went 3-1 SU against Chicago this season, with their first three matchups staying under the total at an average of 212.7 PPG – while their most recent meeting soared over with a score of 127-106 (O 230).

Key Players to Watch

  • CHI: Zach LaVine - SG (24.4 PPG, 4.6 REB, 4.5 AST)
  • CHI: DeMar DeRozan - SF (27.9 PPG, 5.2 REB, 4.9 AST)
  • MIL: Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF (29.9 PPG, 11.6 REB, 5.8 AST0
  • MIL: Khris Middleton - SF (20.1 PPG, 5.4 REB, 5.4 AST)

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Conclusion

After snapping a four-game losing streak on the final day of the season with a narrow road win over Minnesota (W, 124-120), the Bulls hit the road again for Sunday’s first-round series-opener as heavy underdogs against the Bucks at Fiserv Forum – marking the eighth time Chicago has been an underdog across their last 12 games.

I’ll take the under here, as the Bulls closed out the season with a miserable 5-10 SU and ATS skid, while scoring 108.6 OPPG and surrendering 117.9 DPPG during that span – setting the stage for a relatively low-scoring battle against a Bucks squad that allowed just 105.2 OPPG across last year’s impressive NBA title run.

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

  • The Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
  • The Bucks are 2-4 ATS in their last six games.
  • The total has gone OVER in six straight Bucks' games.
  • The total has gone OVER in five of the last six Bulls' games.
  • The Bucks are 5-2 ATS in their last seven matchups against Chicago.
  • The total has gone UNDER in six of the last eight matchups between the Bucks and Bulls.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson
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