The 6-seed Chicago Bulls visit Fiserv Forum Sunday to take on the 3-seed Milwaukee Bucks. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Bucks Game 1 odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Bulls started off the season hot but struggled to stay that way as injuries to G Lonzo Ball and G Alex Caruso derailed their stunning first few months. Chicago is led by F DeMar DeRozan, who is averaging 27.9 points per game.
Chicago ranks 13th with 111.6 points per game and is incredibly efficient, ranking third in field goal shooting (48.0%) and fourth in three-point shooting (36.9%). The Bulls were 42-39-1 against the spread (ATS) this season but just 1-4 ATS over their last five games.
The reigning champion Bucks actually struggled out of the gate. They’ve come alive as of late behind two-time MVP F Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 29.9 points per game this season. They rank third in points per game (115.5).
Milwaukee was 39-43 ATS this season and 4-4 ATS over its last eight contests.
Bulls at Bucks 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 7:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bulls +380 (bet $100 to win $380) | Bucks -540 (bet $540 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls +9.5 (-108) | Bucks -9.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Bulls at Bucks key injuries
Bulls
- G Lonzo Ball (meniscus) out
Bucks
- G George Hill (abdominal) out
- F Jordan Nwora (back) probable
[tipico]
Bulls at Bucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 120, Bulls 109
Money line
PASS.
Betting a -540 money line isn’t wise, yet betting against the reigning champs at home isn’t a smart move either. Pass on the money line and find value elsewhere in this matchup.
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Against the spread
LEAN to the BUCKS -9.5 (-112).
Favorites were 3-1 ATS Saturday, and the Bucks will come in as the heaviest favorite yet. As we’ve seen throughout the season, this spread is more about Milwaukee’s dominance than Chicago’s ineptness.
However, the Bulls were 0-16 against the top three teams in each conference on March 23, although a late run by the Boston Celtics into second place in the Eastern Conference slightly skewed that stat by season’s end. The Bucks were 4-0 against Chicago and would’ve covered this spread twice.
The Bulls’ record is a bit misleading though as they rank 20th in the NBA in net rating. Their defensive rating without Ball took a major hit, sliding to 23rd in the Association.
The Bulls rank 13th in opponents’ fast-break points while the Bucks sit 3rd in pace. Milwaukee will want to push the ball, and the defensively weak Bulls may have no answer.
It’s a good chunk of points which is why this is just a lean, but the Bucks should win by double figures if they come out as dominant as expected.
Over/Under
LEAN to the OVER 228.5 (-110).
The Bucks were 43-39 O/U this season while the Bulls were 40-41-1 O/U. Milwaukee is going to look to push the pace, and the only way Chicago will be able to keep up is by looking to move the ball quickly as well.
The Bulls have two of the best isolation scorers in the league, so their offense should be to thrive and score. The Bulls rank eighth in true shooting rate.
The two teams’ regular-season matchups would be 2-2 O/U at this total. Again, it’s just a lean, but I’d prefer the OVER 228.5 (-110) here.
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