The league’s top scoring team will be on the road at United Center, when the Milwaukee Bucks (29-5) go head-to-head with the Chicago Bulls (13-20). Action begins at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 30, 2019, and can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Odds
Both teams covered as favorites in their last outing. The Bulls (9.5-point favorites) defeated the Atlanta Hawks 116-81, while the Bucks (6-point favorites) beat the Orlando Magic 111-100. The Chicago game went 19.5 points under the projected point total of 216.5, while the Milwaukee game finished 5.5 points under the projected point total of 216.5.
The Bucks had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 30.2 (above their season average of 21.5) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.589 (above their season average of 0.560). The Bulls, meanwhile, made 15 of their 19 free throws (78.9 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.2 (above their season average of 21.7). Zach LaVine played a key role for Chicago with 19 points and seven rebounds. Ersan Ilyasova, meanwhile had a solid performance for Milwaukee, finishing with 17 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
In their two matchups this season, the Bucks have won both. The two teams combined to score 216 points in their most recent game, which was under the projected point total of 230.5. Milwaukee won 115-101, covering as an 8.5-point favorite. Milwaukee had a much better free throw rate (0.293 vs. 0.113). Chicago, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (24.5 vs. 17.8). Despite the loss, Daniel Gafford had a stellar game with 21 points and five rebounds.
Vegas is exceedingly precise when setting the O/U total of Bucks games, with an even split between overs and unders. Milwaukee heads into the contest with records of 29-5 straight up (SU) and 20-14 against the spread (ATS).
A little over half of Bulls games have finished under the total. Additionally, Chicago owns records of 13-20 SU and 18-15 ATS.
Both teams have had a couple of players take their game to the next level over their last five games. Khris Middleton (21 points,6.4 rebounds,4.6 assists) and Brook Lopez (14 points,5.2 rebounds,3.2 blocks) have been great for the Bucks, while LaVine (31 points,3.4 assists,1.8 steals) and Lauri Markkanen (16 points,7.8 rebounds,1.4 blocks) have made solid contributions to the Bulls.
Chicago might struggle to score as they face off against one of the league’s best defenses. Milwaukee ranks first in defensive efficiency while the Bulls rank 27th in offensive efficiency.
Bucks at Bulls ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Bulls rank first in points off turnovers per game (21.7) while the Bucks rank 10th (17.9).
- Milwaukee averages 51.5 rebounds per game, which ranks first in the league. Chicago ranks 26th in rebounds allowed per game (47.2).
- The Bucks rank seventh in steals allowed per game (7.1) while the Bulls rank 27th (8.5).
- Milwaukee ranks third in points in the paint per game (51.8) while Chicago ranks 16th (46.9).
- Milwaukee averages 18.7 fast break points per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Chicago ranks 11th in fast break points allowed per game (12.4).
- The Bucks average 6.2 blocks per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Bulls rank 27th in blocks allowed per game (6.5).
- The Bucks rank first in second chance points allowed per game (10.7) while the Bulls rank 11th (12.7).
- Milwaukee averages 26.1 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Chicago ranks 15th in assists allowed per game (23.9).
- Chicago ranks eighth in three pointers allowed per game (32.7) while Milwaukee ranks 29th (38.4).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Chicago is 4-2 and Milwaukee is 8-0.
- The Bucks are 29-5 when they score over 100 points, while the Bulls are 13-10.
- Chicago is 9-8 ATS at home, while Milwaukee is 9-7 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Bulls’ 17 home games, while 8 of the Bucks’ 16 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Milwaukee and Chicago are both 4-1 ATS.
- The Bucks have 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games, while the Bulls have 3 unders and 2 overs
- During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 114.4 points per game (5.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.6 points per game (7.1 below their season average).
- The Bulls have outscored opponents by an average of 7.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Chicago has been defeated by an average of 0.5 points.
