Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks Game 1 Predictions

Chicago Bulls (46-36 SU, 42-39-1 ATS) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (51-31 SU, 39-43-0 ATS)
When: Sunday April 17 2022, 06:30 PM (ET)
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
TV: TNT

Point Spread: CHI +9/MIL -9 (Opened MIL -10 at BAS)
Total: 229 (Opened at 228.5)
Money Line: Chicago Bulls +400/Milwaukee Bucks -550
Power Rating: MIL -10

Probable Starting Lineups

Chicago Bulls PG Ayo Dosunmu, SG Zach Lavine, SF DeMar DeRozan, PF Patrick Williams, C Nikola Vucevic

Milwaukee Bucks PG Jrue Holiday, SG Grason Allen, SF Khris Middleton, PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, C Brook Lopez

Key Injuries

Chicago Bulls
Alex Caruso: Back (QUESTIONABLE)
Matt Thomas: Leg (QUESTIONABLE)
Zach LaVine: Knee (QUESTIONABLE)
Coby White: Toe (QUESTIONABLE)
Lonzo Ball: Knee (OUT)

Milwaukee Bucks
Grayson Allen: Hip (QUESTIONABLE)
George Hill: Abdominal (QUESTIONABLE)
Bobby Portis: Shoulder (QUESTIONABLE)
Serge Ibaka: Illness (QUESTIONABLE)

The Milwaukee Bucks host the Chicago Bulls in a Non-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 06:30 PM ET at the Fiserv Forum.

Recent Form

The Chicago Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 46-36, placing them 6th in the Eastern Conference. Throughout the season, Chicago has struggled in their 41 road contests, sitting at 19-22. Over the Bulls’ last five games, they have picked up just 1 win. In this stretch, Chicago’s offense is scoring right in line with their season average, putting up 110.0 points per game. Combined, the Bulls’ last five opponents are giving up 110.0 points per contest. A key reason for Chicago’s recent struggles is a defensive unit giving up 125.0 points over their previous five contests. This figure is up from their season average of 112.0. In the Chicago Bulls’ most recent game, Chicago took down Minnesota by a score of 124-120

The Milwaukee Bucks come into this game with an overall record of 51-31, placing them 3rd in the Eastern Conference. So far, Milwaukee is above .500 at home, holding a record of 27-14. The Bucks have played well over their last five games, picking up 3 wins. During this stretch, Milwaukee is averaging 122.0 points per game, 6.0 points more than their season average of 115.5. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 108.0 points per contest. Even though the Bucks have been adding to the win column, their opponents have had no trouble scoring the ball, averaging 116.0 points per game, up from Milwaukee’s usual rate of 112.1. In the Milwaukee Bucks’ most recent game, the team fell to Cleveland by a score of 133-115.

Individual Player Analysis

As Chicago travels to take on the Milwaukee Bucks, the Bulls’ leading scorer is DeMar DeRozan. Through 76 games, DeRozan is averaging 27 points. On the season, he has surpassed his season average in 51.0% of his games. As DeRozan gets set to take on the Bucks, he could be in line for a big game as Milwaukee is allowing their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 53.52% of their games. This figure places them 25th among NBA defenses. On the other side, Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks in scoring, averaging 29 points across his 68 games. Throughout the season, Antetokounmpo has outscored his season average in 50.0% of his outings. On the season, the Bulls have allowed their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 50.82% of their games, giving them a rank of 19th among NBA defenses.

Matchup Analysis

Heading into this matchup, the Milwaukee Bucks are the more efficient team on both ends of the court. This scenario has taken place in 22 of Milwaukee’s 79 games, leading to a winning percentage of 77%. So far, the Chicago Bulls have played 12 games as the inferior offensive and defensive unit. In these instances, they have lost 12 times, by an average margin of -15.0 points.

The Historicals

Heading into today’s matchup, the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks have met up for 4 games. In their last meeting, Milwaukee picked up a 127-106 win.

How the Public is Betting the Bulls vs Bucks

67% are betting the Bucks against the spread.
52% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 225

More Picks: Brooklyn at Boston Predicted Point Spread Winner

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
• Bulls are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 Sunday games.
• Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
• Bulls are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 Sunday games.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

The Milwaukee Bucks will kick off their post-season, hopeful of making another run at the NBA Finals. Out of all the teams in the Eastern Conference field, Chicago is an ideal matchup for the Bucks, as they have won all 4 of this year’s meetings. In these games, the common thread has been the Bulls’ inability to slow down Milwaukee’s offense. These struggles are even more apparent against Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has surpassed 30 points in two of his four games against Chicago. However, even though I see the Bucks pulling out the win, look for the Bulls to throw everything they can at Milwaukee in hopes of pulling off the upset. Look for the Bucks to go up 1-0, but for Chicago to cover the spread.