NBA Odds: Bulls (even)
The Central’s top team will be at home when the Chicago Bulls (35-21) welcome the division rival Milwaukee Bucks (31-23) to the United Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Monday, Feb. 23 and can be seen on FSN-WI and CSN-CHI.
The Bulls played well in their last game, topping the Suns 112-107 on Saturday. Pau Gasol was a key piece, recording his 36th double-double of the season with 22 points and 14 rebounds. The Bucks, meanwhile, are coming off an 89-81 win against the Nuggets on Friday. John Henson played well for Milwaukee, registering 14 points, four rebounds, and four blocks.
The Bulls could dominate the offensive glass in this matchup, as they’re ranked fifth in the league in offensive rebound percentage at 27.7%. Alternatively, Milwaukee ranks 28th in the NBA on the defensive backboards with a defensive rebound percentage of 72.3%.
The Bulls have emerged victorious in both games against the Bucks this year, including a 95-87 win the last time these two teams met. Gasol put up a double-double in the victory with 46 points and 18 rebounds.
The odds for Chicago and Milwaukee are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Bulls come into this game 35-21 Straight Up (SU) and 25-31 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 5-4 SU and 4-5 ATS against divisional opponents. The Bulls are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throws made, making an impressive 20.3 per game. The rebounding edge goes to the Bulls in this matchup, who are one of the top rebounding teams in the league with an average of 45.6 boards per game. Chicago’s three-point defense can be considered one of the best in the league, allowing just 6.1 three-pointers per game. Opponents have consistently had their shots rejected by the Bulls, leading the league in blocks per game with 6.3. Chicago will look to take advantage of the Bucks and their propensity to foul. Milwaukee has committed the 27th-most fouls in the league, averaging 22.3 per game.
In the other locker room, the Bucks have a record of 34-20 ATS and 31-23 SU. Against fellow division members, Milwaukee has a 5-5 SU and a 7-3 ATS record. The Bucks have one of the best opponent field-goal percentages in the league at .433. Milwaukee is the fifth-best team in the league at scoring points off turnovers with 19.0 per game.
In their previous meeting this season, Chicago beat Milwaukee, bumping its SU record to 7-3 over the Bucks in their last 10 meetings. With a 6-4 record, the Bulls also have the advantage ATS. Over the last 10 matchups, Chicago held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers two times. Milwaukee performed this feat one time.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHI, ATS Winner – CHI
Notes
Chicago averages 102.1 points per game (ranked ninth). However, Milwaukee has allowed an average of just 96.9 points per game (ranked third).
On average, Chicago puts up 104.2 points per home game (ranked seventh). Milwaukee ranks ninth in points allowed per road game with 98.5.
Chicago has a stellar 23-6 record when it allows under 100 points this season. Milwaukee is 16-13 when it scores under 100.
Chicago has a 12-15 record when allowing at least 100 points. Milwaukee has a 15-10 record when it reaches the century mark.
The Bucks have a defensive rating of 99.5, third-best in the NBA. The Bulls also rank in the top half of the league for their offensive rating of 105.2 (ranked ninth).
Chicago averages fewer possessions per game than Milwaukee, with 97.1 compared to 97.4. However, the Bulls score an average of 1.052 points per possession, more than the 1.016 that the Bucks score.
The Milwaukee Bucks have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking seventh in the league with an EFF% of 50.9%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the Chicago Bulls have an underachieving 5-11 record.
On average, the Milwaukee Bucks make 23.7 assists per game and the Chicago Bulls make 21.6. Milwaukee is ranked seventh, while Chicago is ranked 15th.
Chicago averages a league-best 6.3 blocks per game. Milwaukee ranks 14th with 4.8 blocks per game.
The Chicago Bulls rank seventh in offensive rebounding, while the Milwaukee Bucks rank 24th in defensive rebounding.
Making 9.5 steals per game, Milwaukee is ranked third in the NBA. Chicago has a winning 18-8 record when it gives up at least 9 steals.
