Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Prediction

The NBA’s top scoring team will be a 13.5-point favorite at home in Fiserv Forum, when the Milwaukee Bucks (10-4) meet the Chicago Bulls (4-11). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 223 points and it will air on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 16, 2018.

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

Both teams were beaten in their last outing. The Bulls (13-point underdogs) were defeated by the Boston Celtics, 111-82, while the Bucks (9.5-point favorites) fell to the Memphis Grizzlies, 116-113. The Chicago game went 19.5 points under the projected point total of 212.5, while the Milwaukee game went 16 points over the projected point total of 213.

Chicago held Boston to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.7 (below the 26.2 mark opponents have averaged against Chicago this season) while Milwaukee held Memphis to an offensive rebounding percentage of 10.3 (below their season average of 18.6). Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for Milwaukee, finishing with 31 points and nine rebounds. Shaquille Harrison was a key piece for Chicago with 16 points and six rebounds.

This was a highly contested series last year, as the teams split their four games last season. In the last matchup, the Bucks won 118-105. Milwaukee had a much better turnover percentage (5.0 vs. 12.6). Chicago, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (37.0 vs. 17.1). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.

Vegas tends to place the total high when the Bulls are involved, as 66.7 percent of their contests have finished under the O/U total. Chicago heads into the contest with records of 4-11 straight up (SU) and 8-7 against the spread (ATS).

Unlike Chicago, games involving the Bucks have a tendency to finish over the total (78.6 percent). Moreover, Milwaukee owns records of 10-4 SU and 8-6 ATS.

Wendell Carter Jr. has been playing at a high level as of late for Chicago, averaging 12.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks over the last five games.

The high-octane offense of Milwaukee will square off against the bottom-tier defense of Chicago. The Bucks rank second in offensive efficiency, while the Bulls are 23rd in defensive efficiency. The Bucks figure to have the edge on that side of the ball. Also, second chance points figure to be rare for the Bulls. They rank 30th in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage at 17.2 percent, while the Bucks are second-best on the defensive glass (defensive rebounding percentage of 80.5 percent).

Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks Pick

Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

The Bucks rank first in second chance points allowed per game (10.7) while the Bulls rank 13th (12.7).

Milwaukee averages 51.1 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the league. Chicago ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (49.4).

The Bucks rank second in assists per game (26.9) while the Bulls rank 23rd (21.7).

Milwaukee ranks third in points in the paint per game (55.4) while Chicago ranks 18th (46.3).

Milwaukee ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (9.6) while Chicago ranks 14th (13.2).

The Bucks average 6.5 blocks per game, which ranks second in the NBA. The Bulls rank 27th in blocks allowed per game (6.7).

The Bucks rank 11th in points off turnovers per game (17.6) while the Bulls rank 26th (14.5).

Milwaukee averages 40.1 three pointers per game, which ranks second in the league. Chicago ranks 25th in three pointers allowed per game (34.2).

In games where they allow less than 100 points, Milwaukee is 2-0 and Chicago is 2-1.

The Bulls are 2-7 when they reach the century mark, while the Bucks are 10-4.

Chicago is 3-4 ATS on the road, while Milwaukee is 5-2 ATS at home.

Of the Bulls’ 7 road games, they have 4 unders and 3 overs.

Of the Bucks’ 7 home games, they have 6 overs and 1 under.

Bettings Trends:

In their last five games, Chicago and Milwaukee are both 2-3 ATS.

The Bulls have 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games, while the Bucks have 4 overs and 1 under,

The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.2, up from 7.9 for the season.

During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 119.4 points per game (1.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 117.4 points per game (7.3 above their season average).