Injuries to stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe haven’t slowed down the Milwaukee Bucks, who can become the first 30-win team in the NBA with a victory Monday in Chicago. Both are expected to return against the Bulls, who have lost the last eight meetings.
- Date/Time: December 30, 8 p.m. ET
- Arena: United Center
- TV Coverage: Fox Sports Wisconsin, NBC Sports Chicago
- Sportsbook Odds: Bucks -8 | O/U 219.5
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Bucks opened as 8-point favorites for this matchup, but since Antetokounmpo’s status has been upgraded to being available after a back injury forced him out of the last two games, Milwaukee is now -9. The Bucks were 8.5-point favorites when they beat the Bulls 115-101 last month in Chicago.
Milwaukee News & Notes
Milwaukee went 2-0 SU and ATS in its two games without the Greek Freak, beating up on the Hawks and Magic. However, he is active tonight and Antetokounmpo is second in the NBA in both scoring and efficiency while ranking sixth in rebounds.
Ersan Ilyasova stepped up big in place of Antetokounmpo, collecting 35 points and 31 rebounds in the last two games while shooting 7-for-8 from behind the three-point line. The Bucks also leaned on center Brook Lopez, who had 19 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in the last meeting with the Bulls, and bench players Robin Lopez and George Hill, who had 17 points each on Saturday.
The Bucks are getting an extra boost with the anticipated return of star guard Eric Bledsoe, who has missed eight games with an avulsion fracture. Bledsoe is averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 26 games this season, although Milwaukee still managed to go 6-2 SU without him.
Chicago News & Notes
The Bulls haven’t matched up well with the Bucks in recent years, going 0-7 SU and ATS in the last seven meetings and being held under 100 points in 11 of the last 18 meetings.
However, Chicago comes into this one playing its best basketball of the season. The Bulls’ 116-81 rout of the Magic on Saturday improved Chicago to 5-3 in its last eight games. More notably for bettors, the Bulls are 11-3 ATS in their last 14, thanks in large part to a defense that has kept them in games. Chicago has not surrendered more than 110 points in over a month, and has held opponents under the century mark in four of its last seven at home.
Chicago is also 7-1 ATS in its last eight games as an underdog, including SU upsets of the Kings, Clippers and Wizards. However, the home dog role has not been friendly recently to the Bulls, who are just 8-23 ATS in their last 31 when catching points on their home floor.
Betting Pick: Bucks -8
With Antetokounmpo in the lineup, this line looks like a bargain with a Bucks squad that has covered 12 of its last 15.
- The UNDER is 5-1 in Milwaukee’s last 6 games.
- Chicago is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games as an underdog.
- Milwaukee is 7-0 ATS in its last 7 road games vs Chicago.