It will be a battle between Central Division opponents when the Chicago Bulls (24-47) welcome the Milwaukee Bucks (37-34) to United Center. The game can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 23, 2018.
Milwaukee opened as a 3.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 216 points.
Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls Free Prediction
The Bucks are trying to rebound after their 127-120 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in their last game. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Los Angeles’ biggest strengths. They had 29 free throw attempts, while Milwaukee had 17. Khris Middleton was Milwaukee’s high scorer with 23 points on 9-for-17 shooting.
The last time the Bulls played, they were blown out by the Denver Nuggets, 135-102. Denver’s 0.735 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Chicago, who had a mark of 0.511. The Nuggets’ mark was above their season average of 0.535. With 14 points and eight rebounds, Chicago’s Noah Vonleh put together a good game.
Ball security could play a significant role in this contest. Chicago commits the fifth-fewest miscues in the league (turnover percentage of 12.9 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Milwaukee forces the fifth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 14.9 percent). Furthermore, the Bucks rank 24th in offensive rebounding percentage (20.2 percent), while the Bulls rank second in defensive rebounding percentage (80.5 percent).
Milwaukee holds records of 37-34 straight up (SU) and 28-38-5 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Bucks games, with 37 overs compared to 32 unders.
Meanwhile, Chicago is 24-47 SU and 36-32-3 ATS. Games involving the Bulls also have a slight tendency to finish over the total (53.5 percent).
Bobby Portis has averaged 17.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Chicago.
The Bulls have won two out of three against the Bucks this season, but fell short the last time these two teams met, 110-96. Chicago covered as a 2-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 206 points, which was 8 points below the projected point total of 214 points. The Bucks had a better free throw rate (0.195 vs. 0.138) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.617 vs. 0.483). In the victory, Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 27 points.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Milwaukee is 17-15-2 ATS with 18 overs, 15 unders and 1 push.
Chicago is 19-15-2 ATS at home with 19 unders and 17 overs.
Chicago is 6-6 when they allow under 100 points, while Milwaukee is 16-5.
When scoring above 100 points, the Bucks are 31-18 and the Bulls are 22-23.
Milwaukee ranks fifth in blocks per game (5.4) while Chicago ranks 29th (3.7).
The Bucks rank fourth in points off turnovers per game (18.0) while the Bulls rank 26th (14.9).
Chicago ranks eighth in rebounds per game (44.6) while Milwaukee ranks last (39.5).
The Bucks rank ninth in three pointers allowed per game (27.2) while the Bulls rank 28th (31.7).
Milwaukee ranks eighth in points in the paint per game (46.4) while Chicago ranks 25th (41.7).
The Bucks rank fourth in steals per game (8.6) while the Bulls rank 20th (7.5).
Chicago ranks fifth in second chance points allowed per game (11.3) while Milwaukee ranks 18th (12.8).
The Bucks rank 15th in assists per game (22.8) while the Bulls rank 28th in assists allowed per game (25.6).
Milwaukee ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (9.7) while Chicago ranks 13th (11.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS with 5 overs.
Chicago is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Bucks have scored an equal number of points as their opponents. On the season, Milwaukee has lost by an average of 0.5 points.
During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 104.0 points per game (0.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 116.2 points per game (6.3 above their season average).
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