It will be a battle between Central Division opponents when the Milwaukee Bucks (15-11) welcome the Chicago Bulls (7-20) to BMO Harris Bradley Center. The game can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 204.5 points with Milwaukee opening as an 8-point favorite.
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Free Prediction
The Bulls will be looking for a similar result after narrowly defeating the Utah Jazz in their last game, 103-100. The Bulls had a free throw rate of 0.151 (above their season average of 0.144) and had a turnover percentage of 8.1 (better than their season average of 12.3). Chicago was lifted by Nikola Mirotic, who was the team’s leading scorer with 29 points on 11-for-18 shooting.
In the Bucks’ last game, they fell to the New Orleans Pelicans, 115-108. New Orleans’ 0.644 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Milwaukee, who had a mark of 0.505. The Pelicans’ mark was above their season average of 0.554. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had a solid game, leading both teams in scoring with 32 points on 13-for-24 shooting.
Milwaukee should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Milwaukee ranks fourth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.3 percent), while Chicago forces the fewest turnovers (12.7 percent).
Chicago holds records of 7-20 straight up (SU) and 13-11-3 against the spread (ATS). Bulls games have typically gone under the total (55.6 percent).
Meanwhile, Milwaukee owns records of 15-11 SU and 11-12-3 ATS. Unlike Chicago, Bucks games tend to go over the total (57.7 percent).
Kris Dunn has averaged 16.4 points, 7.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Chicago.
After the Bucks won three out of four contests against the Bulls last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. In the last contest, Chicago won 109-94. Chicago had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.6 vs. 18.8). Milwaukee, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (13-17; 76.5 percent).
Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Chicago is 7-6-1 ATS with 8 overs and 6 unders.
Milwaukee is 5-6-2 ATS at home with 6 overs, 6 unders and 1 push.
When holding opponents below 100 points, Chicago is 3-5 and Milwaukee is 6-2.
The Bulls are 6-6 when they reach 100 points, while the Bucks are 12-5.
Milwaukee ranks fourth in blocks per game (5.4) while Chicago ranks 28th (3.6).
The Bucks rank sixth in points off turnovers per game (18.6) while the Bulls rank 27th (13.9).
Milwaukee ranks sixth in steals per game (8.6) while Chicago ranks 25th (7.0).
The Bulls rank 11th in rebounds per game (44.6) while the Bucks rank last (38.2).
Milwaukee ranks ninth in points in the paint per game (46.1) while Chicago ranks 27th (38.7).
The Bulls rank 10th in three pointers attempted per game (30.1) while the Bucks rank 27th (24.1).
Milwaukee ranks 11th in assists allowed per game (21.9) while Chicago ranks 25th (24.3).
The Bucks rank first in fast break points allowed per game (6.7) while the Bulls rank 11th (10.5).
Chicago ranks fourth in second chance points allowed per game (10.5) while Milwaukee ranks 12th (12.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Chicago is 5-0 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Milwaukee is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 push over their last five games.
The Bulls have outscored opponents by an average of 6.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Chicago has lost by an average of 8.2 points.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 107.6 points per game (3.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 105.6 points per game (1.4 above their season average).
