The Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls duke it out at the United Center on Wednesday night.
The Milwaukee Bucks have been in a bit of a rut as they’ve lost four of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping to put an end to a three-game skid after getting thrashed by the Celtics in a 139-118 road loss on Christmas Day. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists, Jrue Holiday added 23 points with six rebounds and seven assists while Brook Lopez chipped in with 16 points on seven of eight shooting. As a team, the Bucks shot 50 percent from the field and 13 of 36 from the 3-point line as they allowed the Celtics off to a flyer and leaked 36 points in the first quarter and things only got worse in the second half where they allowed the Celtics to explode for 77 points.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have lost five of their last eight games and they were riding a three-game win streak before getting stopped in their tracks by the Rockets in a 133-118 loss on Monday. DeMar DeRozan led the team with 31 points and nine assists on 11 of 18 shooting, Zach LaVine added 22 points with five assists while Coby White chipped in with 14 points off the bench. As a team, the Bulls shot 48 percent from the field and 13 of 35 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in control when they poured in 39 points in the second quarter to overcome an early 18-point deficit, only to leak 69 points in the second half to get completely blown out in the end.
Looking at the betting trends, the Bucks are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight road games, 1-5 ATS in their last six games against a team with a losing record and 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games playing on two days rest. The Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games, 18-37 ATS in their last 55 games against a team above .600 and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games following a loss.
Head to head, the under is 5-1 in the last six meetings overall and the Bucks are 14-3 ATS in the last 17 meetings in Chicago.
The Bucks should have their full roster expect for Khris Middleton who is still out with that knee injury, while the Bulls are keeping eyes on Javonte Green and Alex Caruso who are both questionable for this one. You couldn’t back either team with too much confidence, but the Bucks are the deserved road favorites despite the injuries and I think they can get the easy win and cover behind a big game from Antetokounmpo.
