Free NBA Pick: Bulls vs. Bucks NBA Odds
Looking for Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Bulls taking on the Bucks on Sunday, April 17th, 2022 at Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Bulls Bucks matchup.
2022 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 1
(0-0) Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks (0-0)
Date: Sunday, April 17th
Time: 6:30 PM (ET)
Venue: Fiserv Forum Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
NBA Moneyline Odds: Bulls +445 | Bucks -470 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Bucks -10
NBA Betting Total: 229.5
Sunday, April 17th the first-round playoff series between the sixth-seeded Chicago Bulls and third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks tips off. Milwaukee swept the season series with wins on January 21st (94-90), March 4th (118-112), March 22nd (126-98), and April 5th (126-106).
The Bulls hold the all-time record having bested the Bucks in 132 of their 259 matches.
This will be the fifth time the teams have played in the postseason, Milwaukee won 4-0 in 1974 (Conference finals), 3-1 in 1985 (first round) while Chicago won two opening-round series, 3-1 in 1990 and 4-2 in 2015.
Chicago Bulls
After sitting atop the Eastern Conference for much of the front half of the 2021-22 campaign the Bulls suffered a double hit of injuries to core assets and a massive COVID 19 outbreak.
Initially, the Bulls weathered the storm with DeMar DeRozan stepping up to captain the team winning several games in clutch time.
But eventually, the absence of the team’s best three defenders Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and Patrick Williams caught up to them and the losses began to mount.
In particular, the team struggled against the top teams in the East registering a 1-14 record versus the Heat, Celtics, Bucks, and 76ers with the lone victory coming on November 1st against the Celtics.
Although the Bulls were reeling they held onto a home court seed for months but an 8-15 post All-Star record ultimately dropped them to the sixth seed. They avoided the play-in tournament mostly thanks to the Cavaliers who were equally in disarray.
Alex Caruso (back) is probably while Matt Thomas (leg) is questionable for Sunday. Lonzo Ball (knee) remains out indefinitely.
Milwaukee Bucks
Most suggested the Bucks didn’t care what seed they had or who they played in the first round and that the theory they purposely lost the final game to avoid the Nets and nab the third seed to play the Bulls was bogus.
But logic and evidence suggest otherwise. Case in point – despite knowing the Heat clinched the top seed on April 7th, the Bucks still played their full core against the Pistons even though they played the night prior and then sat all the starters in the final game versus the Cavs.
Why?
They ensured they would drop no lower than third seed with the Pistons win (hence avoiding the one team who swept them – the Raptors).
Losing to the Cavs ensured the Hawks couldn’t be higher than eighth which again was significant as Atlanta and Cleveland were the only other teams who won the season series versus Milwaukee with the Hawks the healthier of the two.
They took a calculated risk the Celtics wouldn’t want to fall to fourth either and thus got the three seed and the one opponent they swept this season – – the Bulls.
It was a savvy move that paid dividends and will likely put them in a position to finish the first round quickly and then rest while they await the winner from what is likely to be a long series between the Celtics and Nets.
Jordan Nwora (back) is probable while George Hill (abdominal) is questionable for Sunday.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Chicago is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Milwaukee is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Milwaukee’s last 6 games.
- The Bulls are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- The Bucks are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Free Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Prediction
In the last two meetings between the clubs, the Bucks won by a margin of 28 and 20 points despite Caruso and Williams being back in the lineup.
Ultimately, the Bulls took a big step this season returning to the playoffs after a four-year absence but they need to improve their defensive schemes and gain constancy.
Chicago should be proud of this season, let their young roster get their playoff feet wet, and determine necessary tweaks this offseason.
Unfortunately, experience is likely all they’ll gain this year as the defending champs are likely to make short work of the Bulls either winning four straight or via a Gentleman’s sweep.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Bucks ATS
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks matchup, we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire 2021 NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA picks!
Register here for a FREE NBABetting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!
