Chicago Bulls (13-18) play the Milwaukee Bucks (16-13) for the second time this festive season, after a Christmas eve showdown in which the Milwaukee Bucks ran out winners. The Bulls are at home again at the United Center and must find a way to force the win to avoid losing a fourth straight game. Last Thursday, Chicago made NBA history for the wrong reasons by conceding 50 points in the fourth quarter to lose to the Atlanta Hawks after leading by 21 points. The NBA Cup champions, Milwaukee Bucks are the favorite to win and return to winning ways following a loss to the Brooklyn Nets last time out.
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BASKETBALL: NBA Regular Season
Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
Venue: United Center, Chicago
Date: 29.12.2024 04:00
Chicago Bulls
Away to the Atlanta Hawks Thursday night, the Chicago Bulls pulled defeat from the jaws of victory with a massive collapse in the fourth quarter that handed the Hawks a 141-133 victory. Atlanta trailed by 17 points with six minutes on the clock before a 23-2 run enabled the home side to regain the lead for the first time since the first quarter. The Hawks scored 50 points in the fourth to eclipse the Bulls and hand them a third straight defeat. Earlier in the week, the Bulls had lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 112-91 at home. Missing Lonzo Ball and guard Josh Giddey, the Bulls were poor against a Bucks team without stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. In the loss against the Hawks, the Bulls shot 54% from the field (53 for 98), and Zach Lavine and Jevon Carter scored season-highs, indicative of a potential to get out of the rut.
Bet on Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks with 1xBetMilwaukee Bucks
Doc Rivers expects to have Antetokounmpo and Lillard back for the Milwaukee Bucks return to Chicago on Sunday morning. Both were not needed as the NBA Cup kings won the first encounter for a fourth victory in five games over the Chicago Bulls. The Bucks are beginning to play like they want and sit in number five in the East, but they suffered a surprise defeat against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday after leading almost the entire second period, dropping the game by 6 points in a 111-105 setback. Without their star duo, the Bucks shot 50.7%, in a game that Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 21 points. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis added 20 and 18 points, respectively. The loss snapped the Bucks two-game winning streak.
Betting Odds
Milwaukee Bucks are 1.70 favorites on Betway, which lists the Chicago Bulls as 2.11 underdogs. Total Over 227 points is priced at 1.645 odds on 1xBet, with the Under listed at 2.2 odds. The Milwaukee Bucks are 1.90 to close the (-2.5) spread on Bet365, which prices the Chicago Bulls at 1.66 odds to win with a (+4.5) handicap. Read more here.
Bet on Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks with 1xBet
