Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 3/23/2018

Friday, March 23, 2018

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Friday, March 23, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Milwaukee as 3.5 point favorites.

The Bucks come into this game with an overall record of 37-34. They are 3rd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.5 as they are averaging 105.8 points per game while giving up 106.3 per contest. The Bulls have an overall mark of 24-47. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 103.5 points per contest and giving up 109.9, which is a point differential of -6.4.

Valuable Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 27-39-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 37-33-1 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 37-32-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 38-33-0 against the over/under

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

03/22/18 F Giannis Antetokounmpo Ankle left last game, is "?" Friday vs Chicago
02/06/18 PG Matthew Dellavedova Ankle is out indefinitely
02/03/18 G Malcolm Brogdon Knee is OUT 6-8 weeks

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

03/22/18 G Kris Dunn Toe is downgraded to doubtful Friday vs Milwaukee
03/22/18 G Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely
03/21/18 F Lauri Markkanen Back is "?" Friday vs Milwaukee

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton averages 20.2 points per game in 36.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4 assists per contest and 5.2 rebounds per game for Milwaukee. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%. Giannis Antetokounmpo comes into this contest averaging 27.3 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Bucks. He pulls down 10 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 53% while his free throw percentage is currently at 76%.

Player Spotlight

Denzel Valentine averages 10.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 77%. Lauri Markkanen averages 14.9 points per game while playing 30.4 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 7.6 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bucks allow 106.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 20th and 23rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.1 rebounds a game which ranks 7th, and they give up 23.3 assists per contest which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Milwaukee averages 105.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.45 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 39.5 rebounds per game and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 30th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 14 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls surrender 109.9 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 24th and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.6 assists allowed per contest, and 28th with 45.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per game this season. Chicago is 23rd in the league with 103.5 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -6.42. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 44.6 boards per game and 9th in assists per contest with 23.6. The Bulls are 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 110, and their offensive rating of 109.6 is ranked 12th. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 7th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA. Milwaukee is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 5th in the league. The Bulls are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.3, and their defensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 9th in the league with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Bucks/Bulls NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago +3.5

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