Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls - 12/30/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls

Date: Monday, December 30, 2019

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Milwaukee -8

Total/Over-Under: 219.5

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks (29-5, 1st in the Central Division) travel to United Center on Monday where they'll meet the Chicago Bulls (13-20, 3rd in the Central Division). Chicago opens this matchup as 8 point underdogs. The over/under has been set at 219.5.

The Bucks cover the spread 58.8% of the time, having gone 20-14-0 ATS. Chicago is covering 54.5% of the time, going 18-15-0 against the spread.

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

12/28/2019 Giannis Antetokounmpo PF Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 30
12/14/2019 Eric Bledsoe PG Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Dec 30

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/27/2019 Jr SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Feb 11
12/23/2019 Max Strus SG Knee Out for the season
12/23/2019 Chandler Hutchison SF Shoulder Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton averages 18.7 points per game in 28.0 minutes per contest. He averages 3.8 assists per contest and 5.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 90%. Giannis Antetokounmpo comes into this contest averaging 30.5 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 12.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is at 60%.

Player Spotlight

Zach Lavine averages 23.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 33.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Lauri Markkanen averages 15.0 points per game while playing 30.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.7 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bucks allow 106.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.7 rebounds a game which ranks 16th, and they give up 24.2 assists per contest which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league. Milwaukee averages 119.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 13.0 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 51.5 rebounds per game and 26.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 1st and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 18th with 14.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls surrender 106.5 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 23.9 assists allowed per contest, and 27th with 47.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 18.4 per game. Chicago is 24th in the league with 106.0 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -0.5. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They are 22nd in the league in rebounding with 43.9 boards per game and 21st in assists per contest with 23.1. The Bulls are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114, and their defensive rating of 101.6 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 1st in the league with 104.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 1st. As a team they are 1st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 3rd in the league. Milwaukee is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 30th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 6th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 17th in the NBA. The Bulls are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 105.1, and their offensive rating of 104.6 is ranked 7th. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 100.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 25th. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Milwaukee -8

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