Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 3/4/2022

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL

Where to watch: ESPN

DraftKings: Bucks -3.5

BetMGM: Bucks -3.5

Caesars: NL

Bucks: 38-25

Bulls: 39-24

It might be gut-check time for the Chicago Bulls. Yeah, three straight losses aren’t the end-all, be-all when it comes to Chicago and where they are in the Eastern Conference pecking order, but it’s time to take advantage of the craziness.

 

The Bulls will play the second game of a back-to-back Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks and try to avoid a season-long four-game losing streak. Chicago’s losing streak reached three after an upset loss to the Atlanta Hawks, losing 130-124 in Atlanta.

 

Despite the balanced scoring with 22 points each from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, followed by 21 from Nikola Vucevic – and shooting 59 PERCENT FROM THE FLOOR – the Hawks got 39 points from Trae Young and went 24 of 28 from the free-throw line.

 

"We've got to have way, way better habits against elite teams," Chicago coach Billy Donovan said. "I think we're learning the tough way all these little lessons, so to speak. ... There was just a lot, a lot of breakdowns. We fouled entirely too much."

 

Elite teams might be an understatement with the Hawks considering they’re far from that Eastern Conference Final team from a year ago. The Bulls, however, are in that conversation this year but the room for error is shrinking considering the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Bucks are among those teams fighting for the top spots in the conference.

 

That dominance from Milwaukee has yet to show to this point, but you have to figure that time will come from the defending NBA champions to make something happen. Milwaukee has won two straight after dropping two to the Brooklyn Nets and 76ers. Milwaukee is coming off a 120-119 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo did Giannis things once again, going for 28 points and 17 rebounds. The depth got his team across the finish line on this night. Jrue Holiday was part of a rally in the fourth with 25 points and 11 assists, and Khris Middleton chipped in with 26 points.

 

"We've done it before," said Antetokounmpo, who also had five assists. "We did it against Boston. We were down 13 in the Christmas game (with five minutes left) and came back and won the game."

 

I think there was this preconceived thought that the Bucks would dominate this season coming off the championship run, but the Bucks being 13 games above .500 going into this game is more than enough to think they’re still very good. Giannis is still going to produce an easy 25-30 points a night.

Chicago’s frontcourt is going to provide an interesting test for Giannis and Bobby Portis. I’m intrigued to see how much Chicago can clamp down defensively and make some adjustments over the last few games. Ultimately, though, I think the guard matchups are going to dictate this game. DeRozan will ultimately outduel Middleton, and LaVine will be a handful for Holiday. I’m not normally a fan of taking the back-to-back team, but Chicago is in dire need of a win and I think that’s going to help in this situation. Bulls by 5

The Bucks are 24-13 ATS against division opponents the past three seasons.

The Bucks are 7-14 ATS off a home win this season.

The Bulls are 22-11 ATS at home this season.

The Bulls are 21-16 ATS against division opponents the past three seasons.

PG: Jrue Holiday

SG: Khris Middleton

SF: Grayson Allen

PF: Giannis Antetokoounmpo

C: Bobby Portis

PG: Ayo Dosunmu

SG: Zach LaVine

SF: Javonte Green

PF: DeMar DeRozan

C: Nikola Vucevic

Bucks: George Hill (out), Brook Lopez (out)

Bulls: Lonzo Ball (out), Alex Caruso (out)

Points: Giannis Antetokounmpo -- 29.3

Rebounds: Giannis Antetokounmpo -- 11.5

Assists: Jrue Holiday -- 6.7

Points: DeMar DeRozan -- 28.2

Rebounds: Nikola Vucevic -- 11.6

Assists: DeMar DeRozan -- 5.0