NBA Picks
Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction 12-23-24 NBA Picks
Milwaukee Bucks (16-12) vs. Chicago Bulls (13-16)
December 23, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Bulls +1.5; Over/Under: +238.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls duke it out at the United Center on Monday night. Here’s a Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction. This article will include a Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Pick.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have been in great form as they’ve won 12 of their last 15 games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after beating the lowly Wizards in a 112-101 home win on Saturday. Bobby Portis led the team with 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists on 14 of 21 shooting, Khris Middleton added 18 points with eight assists while Gary Trent Jr chipped in with 15 points off the bench. As a team, the Bucks shot 44 percent from the field and 20 of 48 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as they were always in control after limiting the Wizards to just 14 points in the second quarter.
Chicago Bulls
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been in decent form as they’ve won five of their last eight games overall, but they are looking to bounce back after having their three-game win streak halted by the Celtics in a 123-98 home defeat on Saturday. Nikola Vucevic led the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Patrick Williams, Coby White and Zach LaVine each scored 14 points. As a team, the Bulls shot just 37 percent from the field and 14 of 41 from the 3-point line as they struggled against the unrelenting defense of the Celtics and never looked like they were in the contest after falling behind going into halftime. Ayo Dosunmu scored just seven points and no bench player finished in double figures in scoring.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The Bulls have won each of their last seven games as underdogs against Central Division opponents following a loss.
- The Bucks have lost five of their last six road games against Central Division opponents.
- The Bulls have covered the spread in each of their last nine games against Central Division opponents following a loss.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven road games against teams that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Bulls’ last six home games following a home loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Bucks’ last six road games against Central Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bulls rank 30th in the league for opponent field goals made per game this season (45.5).
- The Bulls rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (95.2).
- The Bucks rank 30th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (8.2).
- The Bucks rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.0).
Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
The Bucks could be shorthanded for this one with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Chris Livingston all on the injury report, while the Bulls are keeping eyes on Torrey Craig and Josh Giddey who are both questionable. I don’t give the Bulls too much of a chance if the Bucks were healthy, but given the injury cloud hanging over the Bucks, I think there could be some value with the Bulls at the short line. Sure, the odds could change drastically if Antetokounmpo suits up, but I think the Bulls can steal a game against a shorthanded Bucks team.