The Chicago Bulls head to the BMO Harris Bradley Center to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The game gets underway at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, Apr. 23 and will air on NBA TV, CSN-CHI and FSN-WI.
The Bucks lost to the Bulls 91-82 on Monday. Khris Middleton was the team’s high scorer, contributing 22. Jimmy Butler shot 10-for-19 and led in scoring with 31 points.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Bucks look to improve upon their records of 41-41 Straight Up (SU) and 45-35-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 7-9 SU and 10-5-1 ATS when playing their division. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Bucks, who allow a field goal percentage of only .437. The Bucks lead the league in steals with 9.6 per game. If its opponents turn the ball over, Milwaukee has shown that it knows how to capitalize. They average 19.2 points off turnovers, making them the third-best team in the league for that category.
On the other side, the Bulls head into the game with records of 39-43 ATS and 50-32 SU. In divisional games, Chicago has gone 8-8 SU and 7-9 ATS. The Bulls are getting to the foul line at a high rate. Their 1,618 free throws made ranks third in the NBA. The Bulls are a force on the boards, grabbing an average of 45.7 rebounds per game. Chicago’s three-point defense is one of the top in the league, with opponents making only 6.6 shots from the three-point line per game. When it comes to defending the rim, the Bulls are one of the best in the league with an average of 5.8 blocks per game. The Bulls are in for a physical game against Milwaukee. The Bucks are not afraid to send opponents to the free throw line, averaging 22.1 fouls per game.
Chicago won the last meeting this season between these two teams, moving its SU record against the Bucks to 8-2 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings. Additionally, with a 7-3 record, the Bulls have the advantage ATS. Milwaukee and Chicago each held the edge in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) twice in their last 10 meetings.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHI, ATS Winner – CHI
Notes
Milwaukee’s offense and Chicago’s defense are well matched when it comes to scoring. Milwaukee scores 0.0 points per game (ranked zeroth). Chicago allows 0.0 points per game, which is also ranked zeroth.
Milwaukee and Chicago are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per home game and points allowed per away game respectively. Milwaukee puts up an average of 0.0 points per home game, while Chicago gives up 0.0 points per away game on average.
Milwaukee has a solid 31-12 record when it gives up under 100 points this season. Chicago is 15-22 when it puts up under 100.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Bucks are just 10-29 this season. Chicago is an outstanding 35-10 when it hits the century mark.
The Bucks have an offensive rating of 100.1 (ranked 25th). The Bulls rank 11th for their defensive rating of 101.4.
The Milwaukee Bucks average 97.7 possessions per game and 1.001 points per possession, while the Chicago Bulls earn fewer possessions (96.5) but more points per possession (1.045).
The Milwaukee Bucks average an effective field goal percentage of 49.9% this season. The Chicago Bulls have a poor record of 10-19 when opponents have an EFF% of 49.9% or greater.
On average, the Milwaukee Bucks make 23.6 assists per game and the Chicago Bulls make 21.7. Milwaukee is ranked seventh, while Chicago is ranked 14th.
Chicago ranks near the top of the league in blocking at fifth (5.8 blocks per game). Milwaukee is ranked 11th, with 4.9 blocks per game.
The Milwaukee Bucks rank 17th in offensive rebounding, while the Chicago Bulls rank seventh in defensive rebounding.
The Milwaukee Bucks rank first in steals, with an average of 9.6 per game. When the Chicago Bulls allow at least 9 steals, they have a winning 23-13 record.
