The Milwaukee Bucks (1-1) visit the Chicago Bulls (1-1) Friday. Tip-off at United Center is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we look at the Bucks vs. Bulls odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Bulls tied the series with a 114-110 upset victory as 10-point underdogs at the Bucks Wednesday. SF DeMar DeRozan, who led the team in scoring (27.9 PPG) during the regular season, tallied a game-high 41 points in the Game 2 win.
Two-time MVP PF Giannis Antetokounmpo did his best for the Bucks with 33 points and 18 rebounds Wednesday. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, All-Star SF Khris Middleton suffered a leg injury in the fourth quarter and will be sidelined for Game 3.
The loss means the No. 3 seed Bucks lost home-court advantage to the 6th-seeded Bulls. Despite playing on the road Friday, Milwaukee is still favored in Game 3. The Bucks are 18-9 against the spread (ATS) as road favorites.
That is far more impressive than the Chicago’s 4-8 home-underdog ATS mark, which tied for the fourth-worst covering percentage in that category this season. However, the Bulls’ 27-14 straight-up home record ranks 9th in the league.
Bucks at Bulls odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:24 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bucks -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Bulls +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread: Bucks -2.5 (-115) | Bulls +2.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Bucks at Bulls key injuries
Bucks
- PG George Hill (abdomen) out
- SF Khris Middleton (knee) out
Bulls
- PG Lonzo Ball (knee) out
[tipico]
Bucks at Bulls picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 115, Bulls 111
Money line
PASS.
While I wouldn’t mind a wager on the Bulls to win given the plus-money value (+120), the Bucks’ 2.5-point spread for a team that’s been terrific on the road is too irresistible.
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Against the spread
LEAN to the BUCKS -2.5 (-115).
The Bucks are down Middleton, but PG Jrue Holiday (18.3 PPG) should be able to pick up the slack.
Milwaukee, as noted above, has been excellent on the road and has been highly profitable in this position. The opposite can be said for the Bulls, who make the Bucks’ -2.5 spread an enticing play.
The Bulls won Game 2 by just 4 point and shot 48% from deep (12-for-25) and 93% from the line (14-for-15), both far above their season averages. If they return to the mean and the Bucks take care of the ball, expect Milwaukee to win by more than 2 points.
Over/Under
BET OVER 222.5 (-108).
The Bucks and Bulls have some of the most talented scorers in the NBA.
They both rank top 13 in the NBA in offensive rating and also outside the top 13 in defensive rating. Also, the Bucks have yet to top 110 points in either of the first 2 games, and they’ve shot under 66% from the free-throw line in both.
Milwaukee is 15-12 O/U as a road favorite, while Chicago is 7-5 O/U as a home underdog, both boding well for the OVER in this one.
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