In the second game of the Eastern Quarter Finals, the Milwaukee Bucks will host the Chicago Bulls. The game will be held on 21 April at 04:30 AM (+3 UTC). The Bucks and the Bulls engage in a close contest during Game 1 and the Bucks ultimately prevailed in a low-scoring game as Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points and 16 rebounds. Will the Bulls be able to put on a better fight here?
Best bets on Bucks vs Bulls
Total: Bookmakers from 22bet suggest that Total Over/Under 225 has the odds of 1.90. The scoring range is bloated considering that the last game fetched just 179 points and it was a poor shooting affair indeed. However, I expect both teams may be up for a big offensive night here and I see the Total Going Over 225. (Total Over 225 for 1.90)
Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict odds of 1.74 for Nikola Vucevic going Over 9.5 Rebounds here(At least 10 rebounds). Center Vucevic had a ton of rebounds in the last game considering there were a lot of misses on both ends of the floor. He had 17 rebounds in the last game and I do see him grabbing at least 11 rebounds. (Player Props: Player Rebounds: Nikola Vucevic Over 9.5)
Handicap: Bookmakers at 1xbet give the Bucks an edge here and although they predicted almost identical odds for a handicap of -10.5, the last time it didn’t pan out. This time around they are predicting that the handicap is +/- 9.5 either way and I’d still not take a wager against this deep Bucks team. I do see a blowout win for the Bucks and would opt for a handicap of -10.5 in their favor again. (Handicap 1 -10.5 for 2.04)
Where to Watch Bucks vs Bulls
This game is available on the NBA League Pass.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks committed 21 turnovers in the last game and Khris Middleton shot just 1/7 from the three-point line. Lopez and Portis got the job done, the former with his scoring and the latter with his rebounding, but it was again the play of Giannis Antetokounmpo that influenced the outcome. Holiday had a decent game too but it was a late surge that pulled the team through. Bulls were within a one-point distance with a minute and thirty seconds to go, but a late run ensured that the Bucks pull through in the end. The form of Pat Connaughton has been a concern but Wesley Matthews as the starting off-guard has provided immense defensive control. The Bucks will still fancy a sweep here against the wayward Bulls.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls had an embarrassing shooting night and they’d rue giving up advantage despite forcing 21 turnovers and garnering extra possessions. LaVine and Vucevic kept on firing long-range shots despite missing a ton of them, each only getting two out of their ten shots to drop. The Bulls shot below 33% from the floor and below 30% from the three-point line. Nikola Vucevic did well as a strong rebounder, but the biggest concern was DeMar DeRozan’s shooting as he could get six out of his 25 shots to drop. Coby White showed a great game, scoring 12 points on 50% shooting but overall, the Bulls' tendency to force the offensive game hurt them and even if though they entered as a weak defensive unit, they held that end well. Can the Bulls get something going here?
Bucks vs Bulls: possible lineups
- Bucks most likely starting five: PG: Jrue Holiday | SG: Wesley Matthews | SF: Khris Middleton | PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo | C: Brook Lopez;
- Bulls most likely starting five: PG: Alex Caruso | SG: Zach LaVine | SF: DeMar DeRozan | PF: Patrick Williams | C: Nikola Vucevic.
