Bulls vs Bucks Picks and Predictions: Milwaukee Rolls Against Back-to-Back Bulls

The Chicago Bulls were able to snap a three-game losing streak with an impressive win over the Toronto Raptors last night but they won’t have long to think about that success as they’re right back at it tonight for a road date with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks now lead the Central Division over the Bulls by two games so this is an important matchup. Can the Bulls pull off the upset as big 7-point underdogs or will the Bucks show their class inside the Eastern Conference?

Find out in our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Bulls vs. Bucks on March 22.

Bulls vs Bucks odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Bucks opened this Central Division clash as 5.5-point home favorites and with word that it sounded like Giannis Antetokounmpo would suit up and Zach LaVine was listed as questionable, the line moved even more in the Bucks’ favor and has moved as high as 7.5 at some shops.

Meanwhile, the total hit the board at 230.5 and it has been all Over money to this point, moving the number up to 233.5.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Bulls vs Bucks predictions

• Prediction: Bucks -7 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 233.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Holiday Over 18.5 points (-115)

Predictions made on 3/22/2022 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Bulls vs Bucks game info

• Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
• Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2022
• Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports Wisconsin, NBCS-Chicago

Bulls vs Bucks betting preview

Key injuries

Bulls: Zach LaVine SG (Questionable), Lonzo Ball PG (Out).
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo F (Questionable), Khris Middleton SF (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Under is 7-1 in the Bulls' last eight games overall and 5-1 in the last six meetings with the Bucks. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Bucks.

Bulls vs Bucks picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

The Bulls were able to snap their three-game losing streak with an impressive 113-99 win as 4-point home favorites over what was a Raptors team that was playing quite well. But that Raps team was playing its second game in as many nights and this time around it’s the Bulls who will be saddled with a back-to-back.

And while the Bulls were able to snap their skid, their overall results since the All-Star break leave a little to be desired. 

Led by DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, the Bulls' offense was able to put up points with the best of them in the first half of the season. But the offense has taken a bit of a step back, ranking just 25th in offensive rating over the 12 games since the All-Star break.

And if the offense isn’t rolling, the defense usually won’t pull its weight. The Bulls rank 21st when it comes to defensive rating this season. Now, they’ll have to deal with a Bucks offense that has been humming.

Milwaukee has passed Chicago in the Central Division thanks to 8-3 SU and 7-4 ATS marks since the ASG. One of those losses came last time out when Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play with a wrist injury, but the two-time MVP is expected to suit up here.

The Greek Freak might be having one of the quietest tears going right now. Antetokounmpo is averaging 33.1 points with 12.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals over the last 12 games. Plus, has been a matchup nightmare for the Bulls this season.

So, the Bulls potentially will have some heavy legs, might be without LaVine, and just don’t match up well with the Bucks. It’s hard to fade the home team here.

Prediction: Bucks -7 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

When it comes to the total, the Over has been hammered to this point but the number has risen high enough now to consider the Under.

A big reason for that is likely because the Bucks have been the second-highest scoring team in the NBA since the ASG, putting up 124.5 points per game, and are going against a Bulls defense that ranks 20th in points allowed over that same span.

But the Bucks will be without Khris Middleton for this matchup and the last meeting between these two fell well below the total of 240, in a 118-112 victory for the Bucks back on March 4.

Additionally, the Bulls may not do their part. This offense is scoring just 108.8 points per game since the break and now could be without Zach LaVine.

This one should sneak Under the number.

Prediction: Under 233.5 (-110)

Best bet

Another area where the Bulls have really struggled this season has been defending opposing guards. Yes, DeRozan and LaVine have been great, but their efforts are definitely focused on the offensive end of the floor.

The Bulls allow the most points per game to opposing guards in the entire NBA at 81.7 per contest. That is more than five points more than the next closest team (San Antonio).

While Holiday has only gone Over 18.5 points just twice in his last six games, prior to that, he had an 11-game run where he averaged 21.7 points on 55.4% shooting and went Over that number nine times. That includes a matchup against the Bulls just back on March 4 where he put up 26 points.

Throw in the fact the Bulls playing the second of a back-to-back, and Holiday is a good bet to go Over his point total in this one.

Pick: Jrue Holiday Over 18.5 points (-115)

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