Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls odds and best bet

Milwaukee has been one of the most interesting teams in the NBA over the last week or so. They scored big victories on the road against Philadelphia and Brooklyn but also looked dreadful in losing their last two games as they eased their foot off the gas. I still like them a lot in the playoffs but it is dangerous for any team to assume they can just turn it on and off. Even the champs. 

With just a few games left on the schedule, there are still a lot of possibilities for the Bucks. This game might not look all that important, but if they win, Milwaukee will have clinched the Central Division (and kept the pressure on the rest of the top of the Eastern Conference). 

There is a lot at stake for the Bulls, too, as they really struggled against good teams this season. They are just 7-24 as an underdog this season. I know those are games they are "supposed to lose," but this team was flirting with the top of the Eastern Conference for a while not that long ago. They should win a few more of those, right?

Milwaukee has won all three games in this season series, covering in the last two, which were both in March. Both of these teams could really use a good win this week as they prep for the playoffs. Chicago probably needs it more for their confidence than Milwaukee, as a season sweep is never a good look, especially against a team you might have to play in the first round of the playoffs. 

Game Info

Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
8:00 p.m. ET
United Center, Chicago, Ill.
ESPN

Betting Odds

Spread: Bucks -4.5 (-110), Bulls +4.5 (-110)
Total:
Moneyline: Bucks -185, Bulls +155

Best Bet

Bucks -4.5

With their rest patterns for their star players, it certainly looks like the Bucks have been prioritizing some games over others down the stretch. This looks like one that should have their full attention, though, especially after back-to-back losses. 

This is a favorable matchup for Milwaukee in a lot of ways. One thing the Bucks have been able to do is limit the efficiency of Bulls leading scorer DeMar DeRozan — he is making just 42% of his shots against Milwaukee. He is still getting his points, but his game is all about working the numbers so when you make him work even harder, it really affects the team. Conversely, Giannis has seen no dip in his efficiency against a familiar foe like Chicago (he is making 56% of his shot, just above his seasonal average). Chicago has no defender that can really disrupt his game all that much, nor a strong defensive strategy overall. 

If you can't find a way to get Giannis guessing, it is very hard to match up with the other Bucks leading players, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. That last matchup is one where the absence of Lonzo Ball (one of the best defensive guards in the NBA) really hurts — he was not available for Chicago in the two losses where they failed to cover against Milwaukee last month. That is not a coincidence. 

Lastly, with center Brook Lopez back in the Bucks rotation, they are at their best defensively, and they can match up that much better with Chicago's lone inside scoring threat Nikola Vucevic.

It is no surprise that Milwaukee is the more complete team and favored on the road. This is a good matchup for them and they should get a comfortable win Tuesday night.