Bulls vs. Bucks Prediction and Odds for Game 1 (Fade Bulls Until Further Notice)

Game 1 of the first round series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. EST on Sunday night. 

The Bucks dominated the Bulls in the regular season, winning all four of their matchups, including the last two by 21 or more points. Chicago is still without point guard Lonzo Ball, and the Bulls really didn’t play well against the top teams in the NBA this season. 

Milwaukee is looking to begin its title defense on the right foot, but can the Bucks cover at home where they are just 14-23 against the spread as favorites?

Let’s get into the odds via WynnBET: 

Bulls vs. Bucks Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Bulls +9.5 (-108)
• Bucks -9.5 (-108)

Moneyline:

• Bulls: +410
• Bucks: -550

Total:

• 228 (Over -108/Under -108)

Bulls vs. Bucks Prediction and Pick

The Bucks may have the second worst against the spread record in the NBA as a home favorite, but they are facing a Bulls team that is bottom four in the league ATS as a road underdog, going just 7-15 this season. 

So yeah, we’re betting between two teams that hate to cover in this spot. Fantastic. 

Despite that, it’s important to look at the current form of these teams entering the playoffs, as the Bulls were horrible after the All-Star break when they had one of the harder schedules in the NBA. 

The problem for Chicago is that things will literally only get harder from here on out, and I can’t see the Bulls upsetting the Bucks in this series, never mind Game 1 in Fiserv Forum. 

Over their last 10 games, the Bucks are just 14th in offensive rating and 20th in defensive rating, but the Bulls are much, much worse, ranking 26th and 28th in those categories. 

I’ll fade the Bulls until they start showing us the team from the beginning of the season, which seems like another lifetime ago. 

Lean: Bucks -9.5 (-108)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.