Teams usually only find a superstar in the NBA very, very high in the draft or through a trade or free agency. The Bucks were able to find their franchise player and arguably the best one in the NBA with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2013 draft when they took some unknown Greek teenager named Giannis Antetokounmpo. The talent was always apparent, but Giannis was incredibly raw and that’s why he lasted that long in the draft. Every team that passed on him is kicking itself right now as the Freak is playing even better this year than he did in his 2018-19 MVP season. He may not play Monday, though.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

It’s the third of four regular-season meetings between Milwaukee and Chicago, which are only about 90 miles apart. The Bucks have won the past eight overall in the series – longest winning streak in the series in franchise history — and both this season by at least nine points. Milwaukee also has won its past seven trips to the United Center.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 35.5 points and 13.0 rebounds in the two vs. the Bulls this season and has had five straight double-doubles against them. Eric Bledsoe is putting up 19.5 points and 6.5 assists in the two games. The team’s second-best player is Khris Middleton, but he didn’t play in either mid-November matchup because he was out injured. Chicago rookie point guard Cody White, the No. 7 overall pick, is averaging 19.5 points off the bench against the Bucks this year. Bulls leading scorer Zach LaVine 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists.

The Bucks are 6-2 against the spread in the past eight meetings. The under is 4-1 in the previous five.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are off a 111-100 home win over Orlando on Saturday. Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game with a sore back. If this were the post-season, he’d be in the lineup. The Freak is listed as questionable for this one; needless to say, that will affect the spread. Ersan Ilyasova has been starting in his place and had 17 points, 14 rebounds and five assists vs. Orlando. Bledsoe is listed as probable. He hasn’t played since mid-December due to a leg injury.

Saturday’s win was Milwaukee’s NBA-high 18th win of the season by at least 10 points. The Bucks are outscoring opponents by an average of 13.0 points per game this season, which is on pace to be the highest point differential in NBA history. The Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their past six as favourites.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago is starting to play closer to expectations, not losing back-to-back games since early December. It blasted Atlanta 116-81 on Saturday behind 25 points from Markkanen and 19 from LaVine. The Bulls led wire-to-wire in their largest margin of victory since April 2017. Markkanen is questionable Monday with an illness. He missed practice Sunday due to that. One thing the Bulls do well is force turnovers. Their opponents are giving it away 18.4 times per game, tops in the NBA. Chicago ranks first in points off turnovers at 21.7 per game. The Bulls are 7-1 ATS in their past eight as underdogs.

Who Will Win Bucks vs. Bulls?

Injuries

Milwaukee

Eric Bledsoe (PG)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20

George Hill (PG)

Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20

George Hill (PG)

Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20

George Hill (PG)

Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20

Ersan Ilyasova (PF)

Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20

Eric Bledsoe (PG)

Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20

Donte DiVincenzo (SG)

Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20

Wesley Matthews (SG)

Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20

Brook Lopez (C)

Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20

Wesley Matthews (SG)

Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20

Chicago

Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)

day-to-day Achilles - 06 / 03 / 20

Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)

Prob Mon Back - 01 / 03 / 20

Daniel Gafford (PF)

Prob Mon Thumb - 01 / 03 / 20

Zach LaVine (PG)

day-to-day Quadricep - 01 / 03 / 20

Tomas Satoransky (SG)

Prob Mon Thumb - 01 / 03 / 20

Coby White (SG)

Prob Mon Back - 01 / 03 / 20

Daniel Gafford (PF)

Prob Sat Thumb - 29 / 02 / 20

Tomas Satoransky (SG)

Prob Sat Thumb - 28 / 02 / 20

Coby White (SG)

Ques Sat Back - 27 / 02 / 20

Daniel Gafford (PF)

Prob Tues Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20

Injuries

Milwaukee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Eric Bledsoe (PG)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20	1-3	2-3	+ -
Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat.
George Hill (PG)	Prob Mon	Finger - 30 / 08 / 20	1-3	2-3	+ -
Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury.
George Hill (PG)	Prob Mon	Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20	3-3	4-3	+ -
Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
George Hill (PG)	Out Thurs	Rest - 13 / 08 / 20	5-5	6-5	+ -
Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)	Ques Sat	Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-6	+ -
Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Eric Bledsoe (PG)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 11 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-6	+ -
Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies.
Donte DiVincenzo (SG)	Prob Thurs	Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-6	+ -
DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Wesley Matthews (SG)	Prob Tues	Groin - 11 / 08 / 20	5-6	6-6	+ -
Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
Brook Lopez (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 04 / 08 / 20	6-9	9-7	+ -
Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday.
Wesley Matthews (SG)	Ques Thurs	Calf - 03 / 08 / 20	7-9	10-7	+ -
Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat.

Chicago

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)	day-to-day	Achilles - 06 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Arcidiacono is battling a sore right Achilles, and his status for when the league gets back in action from its hiatus.
Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)	Prob Mon	Back - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Arcidiacono is expected to play Monday against the Mavericks despite lower-back soreness.
Daniel Gafford (PF)	Prob Mon	Thumb - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Gafford has his right thumb taped up due to a previous dislocation but is expected to be active against the Mavericks on Monday.
Zach LaVine (PG)	day-to-day	Quadricep - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
LaVine is out of action with a left quadriceps strain, and it is if he will return when the league starts back up.
Tomas Satoransky (SG)	Prob Mon	Thumb - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Satoransky is nursing a right thumb sprain, but he is projected to partake in Monday's matchup with the Mavericks.
Coby White (SG)	Prob Mon	Back - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
White is battling a left back strain, but he is likely to face the Mavericks on Monday.
Daniel Gafford (PF)	Prob Sat	Thumb - 29 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Gafford is expected to play Saturday against the Knicks despite a right thumb injury.
Tomas Satoransky (SG)	Prob Sat	Thumb - 28 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Satoransky has a sprained right thumb, but will likely be available to face the Knicks on Saturday.
Coby White (SG)	Ques Sat	Back - 27 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
White is dealing with a back injury, leaving his availability for Saturday's matchup with the Knicks unknown.
Daniel Gafford (PF)	Prob Tues	Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Gaffor is expected to be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Thunder despite having his right thumb taped up due to a previous discoloration.