Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Predictions and Odds Jan 21
Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
WagerTalk NBA handicapper Andy Lang offers his Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls betting preview for Friday, January 21. At the time of posting, the Bucks have opened as a 10.5-point home favorite over the road Bulls, with the total sitting at 227.5 points.
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| Friday, January 21 | NBA Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | Milwaukee Bucks -10.5 vs Chicago Bulls |
| Total: | 227.5 Points |
| Game Time: | 8:10pm ET / 5:10pm PT |
| Arena: | Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI |
| TV: | ESPN |
Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Analysis
Two of the top teams in the East will square off in Milwaukee when the Chicago Bulls visit the Bucks. The Bulls had lost 4 straight games prior to beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-104 at home on Wednesday night. The Bucks took advantage of a decimated Grizzlies team to defeat Memphis 126-114 on Wednesday night in Milwaukee. These teams haven’t faced off yet, but they will being getting familiar with each other as they play another 3 games before the end of the regular season.
Wounded Bulls Reeling
After being one of the best early season success stories in the league, the Chicago Bulls have hit a rough patch. Prior to Wednesday’s win against Cleveland they had lost four straight games. Demar Derozan took the team on his shoulders by scoring 30 points on 14 of 24 from the field. Nikola Vucevic also added a 24 point & 12 rebound double double. The Bulls have been bit by the injury bug with both Zach Lavine and Lonzo Ball missing extended time with knee injuries.
Javonte Green has also been out with a groin injury. The Bulls lead in the Eastern Conference has shrunk but they still occupy the #1 spot with a 28-15 record. Defense has been the Bulls calling card but they have taken a step back without Lavine & Ball. In three complete games without the pair they have allowed 114, 119 & 104, in addition the Warriors put up 138 in the game where Lavine was injured. On the year, the Bulls are middle of the pack with 108.8 points allowed per game. They rank 9th in points scored with 111.2 a game.
Buck The Trend
The Bulls won’t be getting any sympathy from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks have dealt with a plethora of injuries and Covid issues and are just finally getting healthy. Milwaukee is coming off a game with the Grizzlies where they took advantage of Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks both being out. Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 33 points and 15 rebounds, while Khris Middleton scored 27.
The Bucks welcomed back Jrue Holiday with open arms after he missed six games with an ankle injury. Holiday will greatly improve a Buck defense that has been exposed at the guard position. Brook Lopez remains out after back surgery, but hasn’t touched the court this season. The Bucks are now as healthy as they have been all season. Milwaukee has lost four of their last six games but are still in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference with a 28-19 record. The Bucks are 4th in the NBA with 112 points per game and 14th in the league with 108 points allowed per game.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Prediction
The Milwaukee Bucks are 10.5 point home favorites with the total set at 227.5. The Bucks are 14-6 against the spread in their last 20 games against a team with a winning record, while the Bulls are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games against winning teams. Antetokounmpo is more than capable of protecting the rim and defending Vucevic in the post. Milwaukee will spread the floor and expose the Bulls smaller guards. It’s always a question of motivation in regards to the Bucks, but they be focused on knocking off the #1 team in the conference tonight. Let’s roll with the Bucks laying 10.5 points.
PREDICTION: Milwaukee Bucks -10.5
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Friday’s #NBA Notes and Trends:
đź“ťThe under is 10-3 in Charlotte’s last 13 games.
đź“ťOrlando is 4-14 against the spread at home.
đź“ťMiami is 7-1 ATS in their last eight games.
đź“ťEach of Toronto’s last six games have stayed under the total.
➡️https://t.co/RHOuvHZvdC pic.twitter.com/FBWQEK20vf— GoldSheet (@thegoldsheet) January 21, 2022
Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Preview from GoldSheet
This is the first meeting of the season for these two, and the first meeting since Chicago snapped its 12-game straight up losing streak to Milwaukee back in May of last year. The Bucks have been struggling lately, not looking very much like a defending champion, in losing six of their last nine SU, a period in which they ranked just 20th in offensive efficiency and 24th in turnovers. The Bulls are extremely shorthanded in this game, as PG Lonzo Ball is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery (out 6-8 weeks) and F Zach LaVine (25 ppg, 48% FGs) was left home off this road trip with a sore knee of his own.
This compounds the previous loss of G Jevonte Green (hasn’t played yet in January) and backup F Derrick Jones Jr. (suffered bruised knee Jan. 11 vs. Detroit). Milwaukee has its 3 big guns in place with PG Jrue Holiday (18 ppg, 50% FGs, 7 apg) returning from his sprained ankle, and his absence contributed to the Bucks’ recent slide. Number a bit inflated considering Milwaukee’s 9-14 spread mark at home, but possibly with good reason, considering the Bulls are down to DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic in terms of “A” players. Play Milwaukee and the Under.
NBA Stat Sheet
Each day, WagerTalk handicapper Ralph Michaels puts together his NBA Stat Sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Friday’s sheet, with notes on tonight’s Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls contest.
NBA Tip-Off Show
Join Joe Raineri and a rotating panel of guests for the NBA Tip-Off Show at 4:15pm ET / 1:15pm PT as we discuss tonight’s marquee games. Stay up-to-date on the latest NBA news, stats, analysis, and predictions with our panel of professional handicappers as they preview tonight’s NBA action, including this Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls clash, from a betting perspective.
NBA Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the NBA point spreads, moneylines, first half lines and betting percentages for all of Friday’s NBA games, including this Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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