Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Odds – Game 2
Carrie Stroup here with your Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls betting odds for Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (41-42) at CHICAGO BULLS (51-32)
Eastern Conference - First Round
Sportsbook.ag Line: Chicago -8, Total: 187.5
The Bucks look to even up the series when they face the Bulls in Chicago for Game 2 of this first round matchup.
The Bulls completely controlled the first game in this series, winning 103-91 as 8-point home favorites. Chicago shot 45.8% from the floor and really locked in on the defensive end. Milwaukee only made a miserable 39.3% of its shots and was unable to get anything easy around the basket. The Bulls were 12-for-32 from the outside in that game and the Bucks made only four threes total. Chicago was also dominant on the glass, outrebounding Milwaukee 64-51 and the Bucks must be tougher in Game 2.
These teams have now met five times this season and the Bulls are 4-1 both SU and ATS. Over the past three seasons, they are now 9-4 SU and 8-5 ATS when facing the Bucks. This Bucks team is 13-4 ATS this season after two or more consecutive losses. They are up against a Bulls team that is 25-16 ATS after playing a home game this season. Milwaukee is also just 13-25 ATS when playing only their second game in five days over the past two seasons. Kirk Hinrich (Knee) is questionable for Chicago in this game and Milwaukee is going to play at full strength.
Milwaukee was lousy in Game 1 of this series, struggling on both ends of the floor throughout the entirety of the game. SG Khris Middleton (13.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.5 SPG) was one of the only players who showed up for the Bucks. Middleton played 34 minutes and had 18 points and four steals in the game. He must continue to play solid two-way basketball for the remainder of this series.
PG Michael Carter-Williams (14.6 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.3 RPG, 1.7 SPG) is going to need to play better on both ends of the floor for Milwaukee. He was just 4-for-13 from the field and really had trouble staying in front of Derrick Rose. He needs to make better decisions in Game 2 or he’ll continue hurting this team when he is on the court.
F Giannis Antetokounmpo (12.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.0 BPG) had 12 points, five boards and four assists in 33 minutes of action in Game 1. The forward is going to need to be a lot more aggressive attacking the rim and he also must be disciplined on the defensive end. He picked up four fouls and can’t afford to contribute too much to the Bulls going to the free-throw line on Monday.
PFs Ersan Ilyasova (11.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG) and John Henson (7.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.0 BPG) both did some nice things for Milwaukee in Game 1. Ilyasova was one of the few players to get it going offensively, finishing with 15 poitns in 32 minutes. He’ll need to continue to keep the Bulls on their heels with his ability to shoot from the outside (39% 3PT). Henson had 12 points and seven rebounds and his combination of length and athleticism gave the Bulls’ frontcourt some trouble on Saturday.
Chicago had control of the game right from the opening tip against Milwaukee in Game 1 and PG Derrick Rose (17.7 PPG, 4.9 APG, 3.2 RPG) was excellent in his first postseason appearance since 2012. Rose played 27 minutes and had 23 points, seven assists and two steals in the game. He looked extremely explosive and was far too quick for Michael Carter-Williams.
C Joakim Noah (7.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.1 BPG) was very good in Game 1, finishing with six points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block in 35 minutes of action. Noah had been dealing with sore knees for most of the season, but he erased many doubts with his performance. He must continue to anchor the defense moving forward.
SG Jimmy Butler (20.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 SPG) got hot in Game 1, finishing with 25 points (8-for-14 FG, 2-for-5 3PT) and six assists in 35 minutes of action. Butler had 21 points in the final game of the regular season and appears to be finding his stroke from the outside, going 7-for-12 from three over the past four games.
One guy who is going to need to find his touch is PF Pau Gasol (18.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.9 BPG). Gasol had just 10 points on 5-for-17 shooting from the field in Game 1 and will need to be more efficient in this series. He did, however, pile up 13 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in the game.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
