Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions December 23rd 2024

Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks December 23rd 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Bulls (-122) will host the Bucks (-1.5) in a Central Division matchup. The over/under line for this game is 233.5.

Chicago is currently 9th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 13-16, while Milwaukee is 5th in the East at 15-12.

Bucks vs. Bulls Key Information

The Bucks improved to 15-12 on the season with a 112-101 win over the Wizards on Saturday. Playing at home, Milwaukee covered the spread as -8.5 point favorites, while the game’s total of 213 points fell short of the 218.5-point line.

After a 36-36 tie in the 1st quarter, Milwaukee took control with a 14-0 run, stretching the score from 48-44 to 62-44. They held the Wizards to just 14 points in the 2nd quarter and led 86-72 going into the 4th, where they held off a late Washington push.

Bobby Portis powered the Bucks to a win over the Wizards, finishing with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, hitting 6 threes at a 66.7% clip. Khris Middleton added 18 points and 8 assists, also shooting 66.7% from deep, with 11 of his points coming in the 3rd quarter.

Milwaukee made 20 threes as a team, shooting 41.7% from beyond the arc, while their overall field goal percentage was 44.9%. Gary Trent Jr. contributed 15 points, and Brook Lopez and Ryan Rollins each chipped in 14, with Lopez scoring 8 in the 4th quarter.

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Despite a rough 1st quarter, the Bucks’ defense locked in during the 2nd, allowing just 14 points to help secure the win. They gave up 29 points in the 4th but still held the Wizards to 101 points overall.

Milwaukee allowed Washington to shoot 44% from the field, including 42% from three, where the Wizards hit 18 threes. The Bucks sent the Wizards to the line 16 times, where they made 11 free throws. Defensively, the Bucks grabbed 34 rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and recorded 12 steals.

The Bulls fell to 13-16 on the season after a 123-98 loss to the Celtics on Saturday. Chicago was a +12 point underdog at home and failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 221 points fell short of the 239.5-point over/under line.

After a 28-28 tie in the 1st quarter, Boston went on a 10-0 run, extending their lead from 51-47 to 57-51. Chicago couldn’t recover, as the Celtics outscored them 33-26 in the 2nd quarter, 32-23 in the 3rd, and 30-21 in the 4th.

In their 123-98 loss to the Celtics, the Bulls shot just 37.8% from the field. They connected on 14 threes, shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc.

Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Coby White each added 14 points, with LaVine hitting 4 threes at an 80% rate.

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The Bulls struggled defensively against the Celtics, giving up 123 points while allowing Boston to shoot 48% from the field. Chicago allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter, 33 in the 2nd, 32 in the 3rd, and 30 in the 4th.

Chicago did a decent job defending the three, holding Boston to 33% shooting with 15 made threes. The Celtics went 12/14 from the free-throw line. The Bulls finished with 33 defensive rebounds but allowed 17 offensive boards, along with 8 steals and 4 blocks.

The Bucks is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 142-140. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Bucks at -1.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 233.5 and given that our model is projecting 282 points between the teams, we like the over.

Khris Middleton, Bucks Prepared for Bulls’ High-Paced Strategy

The Milwaukee Bucks are riding high after their NBA Cup triumph and are eager to see their roster return to full strength as they face the Chicago Bulls on Monday. Key to the Bucks’ optimism is the ongoing recovery of Khris Middleton, who is finding his rhythm after offseason surgery on both ankles.

Middleton’s Return Adds Stability

Middleton made his first start of the season in Saturday’s 112-101 victory over the Washington Wizards, contributing 18 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in 24 minutes. More notably, the game marked the first time this season he played in back-to-back contests.

“Going through the course of rehab, coming back to playing, the way I’ve been responding after games, I thought (Saturday) … would be a great shot to see what a back-to-back felt like,” Middleton said. “Hopefully (I can) move past that stage where I can’t play in back-to-backs anymore.”

With Giannis Antetokounmpo (back spasms) and Damian Lillard (strained right calf) sidelined against Washington, Bobby Portis stepped up with a season-high 34 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals.

“He was sensational,” said Bucks coach Doc Rivers, praising Portis’ all-around performance.

Lillard has missed the past two games, but Rivers hinted that he might return Monday.

Bulls Look to Rebound

Chicago saw a season-high three-game winning streak snapped with a lopsided 123-98 loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday. The Bulls struggled offensively, shooting just 37.8 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Two nights earlier, the Bulls had impressed with a road win over the Celtics, but coach Billy Donovan noted the team’s inconsistency.

“I don’t think we played with the same intensity and focus we did in Boston,” said Nikola Vucevic, who posted 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Donovan highlighted recurring issues, such as allowing second-chance points and struggling on the boards. He emphasized the need for Chicago to prioritize an uptempo style to maximize scoring opportunities.

“There’s a style we have to play with for our group that gives them the best chance competitively, and that’s running,” Donovan said.

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Season Series at Stake

The winner of Monday’s matchup will secure at least a split of the four-game season series, with the opportunity to claim it outright in Saturday’s rematch in Chicago. The Bucks hold a 2-1 advantage after Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominant 41-point performance in their 122-106 victory on Nov. 20.

Coby White has been a consistent threat for Chicago against Milwaukee, scoring at least 20 points in four of his past five matchups with the Bucks.

Milwaukee has won six of the last 10 meetings between the teams, further fueling their confidence heading into the game.

Key Matchup

The Bucks’ depth, buoyed by Middleton’s return and Portis’ versatility, will face a challenge in the Bulls’ fast-paced attack. Chicago’s ability to dictate tempo could be a deciding factor, especially if Antetokounmpo and Lillard remain unavailable for Milwaukee.

Both teams are looking to set the tone for the upcoming stretch of games, and Monday’s clash will serve as an important benchmark.