The Milwaukee Bucks begin the defence of their NBA title on Sunday, when they host the Chicago Bulls in Game 1 of their NBA Eastern Conference First Round series. The Bucks enter the postseason as the No. 3 seed in the East after racking up 51 regular season wins. However, Milwaukee closed out their schedule on a middling 3-3 run, including outright losses in two of three home dates. The Bulls return to the postseason for the first time in five years, but have work to do to turn around a dismal 7-15 run.

The Bucks have improved to 10-point favourites since opening at -9.5, backed by 62% of sports bettors. The Bulls have sagged to lengthy +379 moneyline underdogs. There has been plenty of movement on the total, which fluctuated wildly before returning to its opening position at 229.5.

Bulls vs. Bucks NBA Betting Odds

Sunday evening’s matchup at Fiserv Forum marks the fifth meeting between these teams this season, and their first playoff clash since the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs. The Bucks swept the season series, capped by a crushing 127-106 win in the Windy City on April 5. Overall, Milwaukee has taken 16 of 17 from Chicago since December 2017, including seven straight victories on home court. The Bucks have also covered in three straight meetings, but are just 3-4 against the spread in their past seven versus Chicago as double-digit chalk. And while Milwaukee has dominated in regular season head-to-head action, the Bulls have knocked off the Bucks in each of their past two first round series matchups.

The Bucks enter the playoffs as the highest scoring team in the East, and averaged 125 points per game over their final four outings. However, Milwaukee has also struggled at times to contain opposing shooters, allowing 121.6 points per game over their final nine outings. In addition to powering a 7-1-0 run for the OVER in totals betting, that spotty defence has contributed to a 4-5 run against the spread. The Bulls were lucky to avoid falling out of the top six in the East during their schedule-ending swoon. And while they have mustered wins in three of four road games, they enter the postseason as one of just three playoff teams with a losing record on the road this season.

Chicago Bulls

DeMar DeRozan has played a massive role in the Bulls’ resurgence this season. The veteran small forward tallied a team-high 27.9 points and 4.9 assists per game. He also consistently produced in four appearances against the Bucks, averaging 31.3 points. DeRozan was also key to the Toronto Raptors’ opening-round win over the Bucks in 2017, averaging 31.5 points over a pair of crucial wins in Milwaukee to clinch the series win.

Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo was the difference maker during the Bucks’ march to their first NBA crown in 50 years last season, and he is once again expected to carry this team. The “Greek Freak” has been dominant down the stretch, scoring 30 or more points in 10 of 16 outings, and recording 13 double-doubles over that stretch. Giannis has particularly shone at home, averaging 31.1 points and 12.5 boards per game this season, and averaged 27.5 points and 14.5 rebounds in two home clashes with Chicago.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bulls vs. Bucks?

BULLS

Away

110

BUCKS

Home

127

Score
Predictions

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