The Milwaukee Bucks are on an eleven-game winning streak that they will look to extend on Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls, who have lost five in a row and are in desperate need of a win to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Can Zach Lavine elevate the Bulls to a win before heading into the All-Star break or will Giannis and the streaking Bucks add another win to the tally?
Continue reading for free NBA picks and predictions for the Bucks vs. Bulls on Thursday, February 16.
Bucks vs Bulls best odds
Bucks vs Bulls picks and predictions
From a macro-level view, things could not look any better for the Milwaukee Bucks. Since Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton's return on January 23, the Bucks have strung together an eleven-game win streak that has caught the attention of the league. Giannis has been averaging 37.2 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists since his return.
On the season he is averaging 32.5/12.3/ 5.5 on 54% shooting, which would mark the first 30/10/ 5 on 50% shooting season since Wilt Chamberlain did it over 50 years ago in 1966. Defenders are also shooting a measly 41% when defended by Giannis, the best mark by any player with 500 shots defended.
Having the proper supporting cast has also been of massive importance, with Jrue Holiday chipping in big time on Tuesday night with 40 points (with eight threes), seven assists, and three steals. He has more than earned his first All-Star bid in nearly a decade, helping keep Milwaukee afloat while Giannis and Middleton were out.
Since January 11, Holiday has averaged 22.1 points, 7.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while shooting 39.3% from three. This is of course while being one of, if not the best, backcourt defenders.
Giannis has seemingly taken the rivalry between the Bucks and Bulls more personally, going out of his way to light them up every chance he gets.
In his last thirteen regular-season games against Chicago, he has averaged 31.1 points, 13.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks. In their 4-1 series win in last year's playoffs, he averaged 28.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in 33.6 minutes played.
Giannis is undoubtedly one of the most driven players in the league, and an element of his drive is his understated pettiness. The Bulls have gotten the best of the Bucks in their first two meetings this season, most recently a 119-113 overtime win in which Giannis put up 45 points and 22 rebounds.
Expect Giannis to do everything in his power to secure the win tonight, and stuff the stat sheet as a result.
My best bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 52.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115)
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Bucks vs Bulls spread analysis
The Bucks opened as -7 favorites and have since moved as high as -8.5 at most shops.
Milwaukee is the league's second-best team at covering the spread, having gone 31-23-3 (57.4%). As away favorites it’s even better, at 9-5-2 (64.3%).
The Bucks failed to cover on Tuesday night, but have covered in four of their last five.
The Bulls are an even 28-28-2 against the spread this season. As home underdogs, they have gone 6-5-1, and they are 5-4-1 against the spread on the second leg of a back-to-back (they played the Pacers last night).
On top of losing in five straight, Chicago has failed to cover in five straight as well. The Bulls have only been as big of underdogs as they are tonight twice before this season, splitting those two games against the spread.
The Bulls are the league's worst team against the spread following a loss, having gone 11-20 in that split.
Bucks vs Bulls Over/Under analysis
The total opened at 230 and has largely stayed at that number.
The Bucks have gone a near even 29-28 to the Under this season, but have heavily favored the Under on the road. They have gone 19-9 to the Under in that split (67.9%), the league's best Under team in that split.
They have also gone Under in five of their last seven. They have played in just 14 totals this season at or above 230, and have gone 8-6 to the Over in those games.
Chicago has gone 33-25 to the Under this season, the league's friendliest record towards Unders on the season at 56.9%. At home, the Bulls have gone 17-11 that way (60.7%), and as home underdogs, they have gone 7-5 (58.3%) to the Under.
On back-to-backs, they have gone 6-4 to the Under, and they have gone Under in five of their last six and in 11 of their last 14.
Bucks vs Bulls betting trend to know
The Bulls have gone Under in five of their last six and Milwaukee has gone Under in five of its last seven. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Bulls.
Bucks vs Bulls game info
| Location: | United Center, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Thursday, February 16, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
