Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview & Pick

Chicago Bulls (9-14 SU, 10-13 ATS) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (15-7 SU, 9-13 ATS)

When: Monday, December 11th, 8:00 PM (ET)

Where: Fiserv Forum, WI, Milwaukee

TV: NBCS

Point Spread: Chi +11/Mil -11

Total: 233

Money Line: Chicago Bulls +410/-562

Notable Injuries

Bulls

• Zach LaVine (Out) Foot
• Alex Caruso (Questionable) Ankle
• Lonzo Ball (Out) Knee
• Patrick Williams (Probable) Ankle

Bucks

• Jae Crowder (Out) Groin
• Pat Connaughton (Out) Ankle
• Chris Livingston (Questionable) Ankle

Recent Form

The Bulls are 9-14 overall and will have to bring their A-game to have a chance at winning as they are +11 point underdogs. In the Eastern Conference, they are 12th overall and 4th in the Central division.

When it comes to overall record, the Bucks are 15-7 and are 2-1 in their last three. At home, the Bucks are 10-2 compared to 5-5 on the road.

The Historicals

In terms of betting vs the spread, the Bulls have gone 3-2, but the Bucks actually have a positive scoring differential. In these meetings, Milwaukee has averaged 112 points per contest, while allowing 108. A combined average of 220 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Analysis

In their recent matchup, the Bulls offense ended with 121 points against the Spurs. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 46.1% and made 13 threes. For the season, the Bulls offense has struggled to get to the free-throw line, ranking just 24th in terms of free-throw attempts per game. Their overall field goal percentage is currently 44%.

The Bulls’ defense is presently ranked 14th in the league, allowing an average of 112.5 points per contest.

Chicago struggled on the boards in their last game vs. the Spurs, giving up 24. For the game, San Antonio scored 112 points in the game.

In their recent matchup, the Bucks offense ended with 119 points against the Pacers. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 44.8% and made 12 threes. Currently leading the team in scoring is Giannis Antetokounmpo who comes into today’s matchup averaging 30.5. Damian Lillard also heads into the game with a PPG average of 25.6.

Facing Chicago, the Bucks aims for a better defensive performance, given their current average of 118.7 points allowed per game (24th).

The Milwaukee defense has allowed opponents to shoot 35.3% from beyond the arc this season. Opposing teams are also hitting 47.2% of their field goal attempts vs. Milwaukee.

Betting Trends

• Although Chicago has a straight-up record of 2-8 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 3-7. The team averaged 106 points per game in these games.
• Milwaukee has a 1-2 record in their last three home games. In this stretch, they averaged 120 points per game while allowing 121. The team also performed well vs. the spread at 2-1.
• Chicago has done well both straight up and vs. the spread as the underdog, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
• The Bucks have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 3-2 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Bucks are coming off a disappointing semi-final loss to the Pacers, and there were some harsh statements coming out of the locker room after the game. Not only did Giannis Antetokounmpo let it be known that the team needed to be more focused. Combine this with the fact that the Bulls knocked off the Bucks the last time they played, and I see Milwaukee taking it to the Bulls tonight. My pick is the Bucks at -11.