Milwaukee outrebounded Chicago and got to the free-throw line 16 more times than the Bulls during Game 2 at home. However, the Bulls were much more efficient on offense to steal a four-point victory and even the series. The question for Chicago will be how to sustain this momentum. Betting stats NBA showed the Bulls had lost 16 of their last 17 games against the Bucks.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee needs to make Chicago pay for sending the Bucks to the free-throw line. Sports betting guides show Milwaukee shot 64.5 percent from the free-throw line in Game 2, which is 13 percent below its regular-season average. If the Bulls continue to play a well-rounded game, Milwaukee can’t continue to leave points on the board. Check the Bucks at Bulls Betting Analysis.
Last Games Records
Chicago beat Milwaukee 114-110 Wednesday night in Milwaukee to even the series at 1-1.
Matchup Information
Bucks at Bulls Betting Analysis
Milwaukee Betting Analysis
Losing small forward Khris Middleton to an injury in the fourth quarter was a major blow for the Bucks in Game 2. Middleton contributed 18 points, eight assists, and five rebounds before exiting the game, with about 7 minutes remaining due to an apparent leg injury. Bucks center Brooks Lopez picked up the slack, finishing second on the team in scoring by contributing 25.
Milwaukee fell apart in the first half of Game 2, being outscored by 14 points, before seeing a furious rally come up short. What hurts the Bucks was their defense and not being able to keep up with an efficient Chicago offense. Milwaukee made two more 3-pointers, making 38.9 percent (14-of-36) of its attempts, but shot nearly 10 percent less than the Bulls did.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t disappoint, finishing one assist shy of a triple-double. Antetokounmpo scored a team-high 33 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead Milwaukee.
Chicago Betting Analysis
DeMar DeRozan showed why Chicago was so eager to bring him in during free agency. The veteran small forward rewarded the Bulls by scoring a career playoff-high 41 points in Game 2. DeRozan was 9-of-9 from the free-throw line and 16-of-31 from the field. But what has been more impressive for Chicago was its overall offensive efficiency.
The Bulls made the most of their 15 free-throw attempts, making 93.3 percent of their attempts. Chicago also shot 49.4 percent (44-of-89) from the field and 48 percent (12-of-25) from beyond the arc. Center Nikola Vucevic was also a major offensive contributor for the Bulls, finishing with 24 points and also grabbed 13 rebounds.
Chicago will want to try and keep Milwaukee out of the paint in Game 3. The Bucks held a 46-34 advantage in that category in Game 2.
Updates
Milwaukee got bad news regarding Middleton’s injury. He suffered an MCL sprain and will be out for the rest of the series. Bucks point guard George Hill will also be out with an abdomen injury. Bulls shooting guard Matt Thomas won’t play in Game 3 due to a leg injury.
- Chicago is 44-39-1 against the spread.
- Milwaukee is 39-45 against the spread.
- The over is 38-44-2 in the Bulls’ games this season.
- The over is 32-50-2 in the Bucks’ games this season.
- Milwaukee is 16-15 against the spread following a loss.
- Chicago is 25-21 against the spread following a win.
Bucks at Bulls Betting Prediction
NBA betting odds have Milwaukee as a two-point favorite. The Bucks are -129 on the Moneyline, while the Bulls are +108. For anyone looking to make a different kind of NBA pick, the over/under is set at 222.5.
Bucks at Bulls Betting Prediction
Milwaukee will have some major adjustments to make in Game 3. Without Middleton, the Bucks’ offense will lack a little firepower, and the rest of the roster will be asked to try and help Giannis aid Milwaukee in grabbing the momentum of the series back. The troubling thing for the Bucks is that Chicago is now heading back home with confidence.
The Bucks aren’t a team that is a defensive powerhouse, so there is no guarantee they will be able to lean on their defense to lock down DeRozan. While Milwaukee is at a disadvantage with Middleton, the Bucks still have plenty of weapons to trouble Chicago. Betting guides show the Bulls have struggled against the top teams in the Eastern Conference all season.
While it is easy to see this as an overreaction to one win on the road, injuries may weaken Milwaukee’s ability to steal one on the road. This one will be the Bulls’ second straight win over the Bucks.
Bet Chicago +2.
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