With a second consecutive blowout win on the road in Game 4, the Bucks are beginning to resemble the team that won the NBA Finals last summer. Their dominance of the Bulls, particularly on the defensive end, also seems to make Wednesday’s Game 5 at Fiserv Forum close to a foregone conclusion.
There is some blowout risk in Game 5, and the possibility both sides sit out some stars late as a result. Therefore, Wednesday’s player props have to at least be partly viewed through that prism.
Do the Bulls’ stars have enough pride and fight left after consecutive routs on their home floor to bounce back on the road? And how aggressive will the Bucks’ prominent players be in an effort to ensure they close out the series in front of the home crowd and ensure some valuable extra rest before the next round?
All NBA gameday odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook and current as of Tuesday, April 26, at 2 p.m. ET.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 5 Player Props
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: OVER 13.5 Rebounds (-120)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Perhaps the surest thing in this series from an individual player performance has unsurprisingly been Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s averaging 14.5 rebounds per game even when factoring in a seven-rebound tally back in the Game 3 blowout win.
The Greek Freak ripped down 16, 18, and 17 boards in Games 1, 2, and 4, respectively, underscoring how dominant he’s been down low.
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The success on the glass isn’t surprising for a couple of reasons. Not only does Antetokounmpo boast a four-inch height advantage over Bulls forward Patrick Williams, but he also pretty much performed to the same level against Chicago during the regular season, averaging 13.5 rebounds in four games.
The Bulls are also shooting just 42.6% over the last three games of the series and saw Zach LaVine enter COVID-19 protocols Tuesday, a development that threatens to make them even more inefficient offensively, and by extension, set up more opportunities on the defensive glass for Antetokounmpo.
Given the circumstances, I like Antetokounmpo to once again be a force down low and hit the Over here for our NBA bet of the day.
DeMar DeRozan, Bulls: UNDER 32.5 Points + Rebounds (-120)
WAGER: 1 Unit
DeMar DeRozan is shooting just 40% for the series, and his 41-point outlier in Game 2 is the only thing that’s propping up his overall scoring averages. The veteran is averaging 23 points per game for the series largely thanks to that breakout performance, but he’s actually scored under 20 points twice and 23 in Game 4.
- Read our full Bucks vs Bulls Game 5 Predictions for more coverage of this NBA Playoffs series.
Meanwhile, with the Bucks shooting very effectively overall, rebounding opportunities on the defensive glass have been relatively scarce. DeRozan recorded eight rebounds back in Game 1 when both clubs shot poorly in a 93-86 defensive slugfest won by Milwaukee, but he’s tallied seven, five, and five boards in the three games since.
When also factoring in DeRozan could get even more defensive attention than usual if LaVine indeed misses the game, I’m in the camp of the Under here.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 5 Game Props
Bulls Under 101.5 Total Points (+100)
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Bulls have scored less than 100 points in each of the last two games and in three of four in the series overall. Chicago could also be down a key offensive piece in LaVine, as noted earlier.
This is admittedly a low number overall, but this prop has had a 75% success rate over the first four games of the series, and the Bucks also held Chicago to 98 points at Fiserv Forum in the final regular-season meeting between the two teams back on March 22 — with LaVine available.
At the current price and in line with my belief the Bulls may be defeated mentally at this point, I like the wager as one to roll the dice on at plus money.
PREVIOUSLY: Bucks vs Bulls Game 4 Props
The Bucks have a chance to potentially to put the series out of the Bulls’ reach for good in Sunday’s Game 4, as a 3-1 lead and a Game 5 matchup in Milwaukee would set the defending champs up beautifully.
Chicago once again significantly underwhelmed on the offensive end in Game 3, even as the Bulls trio of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic shot well for the second straight game. Meanwhile, the Bucks’ new-look, Khris Middleton-less starting five was an instant success, with Bobby Portis‘ re-insertion into the first unit particularly paying off.
However, with the overwhelming sense of urgency hanging over Chicago in particular, are the Bulls’ stars set to leave it all on their home floor? And, how will that impact the numbers of the Bucks’ stars, who got some valuable minutes off in Game 3 thanks to the lopsided game?
All NBA playoff odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook and current as of Saturday, April 23, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 4 Player Props
Nikola Vucevic, Bulls: OVER 33.5 Points + Assists + Rebounds (-115)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Vucevic is averaging 22.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists over the first three games of the series, and he’s putting up 20.7 shot attempts per game after averaging just 15.8 during the regular season.
Vucevic has also shot 51.4 percent, including 41.2 percent from three-point range, over the last two games after a 9-for-27 tally in Game 1, when all three of the Bulls’ stars went cold.
Given how well he’s handled the matchup the last two games in particular and his willingness to step up his offensive contributions in particular, I like Vucevic to be heavily involved once more in the critical game and hit the Over here for our NBA bet of the day.
Jrue Holiday, Bucks: OVER 1.5 Steals (-110)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Holiday averaged 1.6 steals per game during the regular season, including 1.6 on the road. He also recorded a pair of thefts in Game 1 and recorded at least a pair of thefts on 35 occasions overall since the start of the regular season.
- Read our Bucks vs Bulls Game 4 Predictions.
The Bulls have allowed a relatively modest 6.9 steals per game at home since the start of the season, but they allowed eight in Game 3 on their home floor. With the desperation borne of being down in the series and facing the prospect of having to head back on the road down 3-1, I expect some turnovers to occur and Holiday to be at the cause of at least two of them.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 4 Game Props
More Points Scored in 1H +0.5 Points (+130)
WAGER: 1 Unit
As was the case for Game 3, I like this prop, especially with the two teams now playing their third game in five days and the early-afternoon start. That should lead to some more sluggish legs in the tail end of the game, a time when defense also tends to tighten up between two teams that know each other as well as these rivals do.
There were 94 first-half points scored in Game 1 compared to just 85 following halftime, and Game 3 saw 101 first-half points compared to only 91 after halftime.
At the current price and with a half-point being afforded as well, the first-half wager looks like an appealing one to jump on.
PREVIOUSLY: Bucks-Bulls Game 3 Props
This first-round series, which was generally thought to be more or less a tune-up for the Milwaukee Bucks, got a lot more interesting Wednesday night. Not only did the Bulls outplay them on their home floor, but Khris Middleton suffered an MCL sprain that will keep him out indefinitely.
Meanwhile, the Bulls trio of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic made up for some particularly poor shooting efforts in Game 1 by shooting better than 50% each in Game 2.
With the series shifting to United Center, where Chicago went 27-14 during the regular season, and Middleton potentially absent, what can we expect in terms of some standout individual performances?
All NBA gameday odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook and current as of Thursday, April 21, at 5 p.m. ET.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 3 Player Props
DeMar DeRozan, Bulls: OVER 40.5 Points + Assists + Rebounds (-105)
WAGER: 1 Unit
DeRozan eclipsed this prop in points alone in Game 2, racking up 41 on a stellar 16-for-31 shooting. The usage was certainly elevated but not completely atypical for DeRozan, who averaged a career-high 20.2 shot attempts per game during the regular season and also put up 25 during Game 1.
While we won’t necessarily bank on the same level of usage or efficiency in Game 3, the 40.5 total seems very doable for the veteran when also factoring in he’s been a solid rebounder and facilitator.
DeRozan finished the regular season 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, and he’s averaged 7.5 and 5.0 per game in those categories over the first two contests alongside his stellar 29.5 points per game.
Considering DeRozan also put up 28.1 points on 51.7% shooting at United Center this season, I like him to hit the Over here for our NBA bet of the day.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: Bucks First Field-Goal Scorer (+175)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Antetokounmpo has unsurprisingly been the most consistently productive player on either team over the first two games, averaging 30.0 points and 17.0 rebounds in that span. That’s an extension of the regular-season success the Greek Freak enjoyed against Chicago, averaging 26.8 points and 13.5 boards in four games.
- Read our full Bucks vs Bulls Game 3 Predictions.
The Bulls are allowing the fifth-highest offensive efficiency to power forwards (28.1%) since the start of the regular season, and Antetokounmpo is averaging a team-high 32.5 points per 36 minutes with Middleton off the floor this season.
Given his heightened importance in his teammate’s absence and his outsized role in Milwaukee’s offense under normal circumstances, banking on him scoring the first basket for his team at this price isn’t a bad way to go.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 3 Game Props
More Points Scored in 1H +0.5 Points (+135)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Both these teams know each other extremely well, and they’ll be playing their second game in three nights Friday. I expect a faster start than finish as a result, with familiarity and fatigue both making their presence felt in the second half as the game tightens up.
The two halves featured an identical 112 points in Game 2, but there were 94 first-half points scored in Game 1 compared to just 85 following halftime.
At the current price and with a half-point being afforded as well, the first-half wager looks like an appealing one to jump on.
The Bulls and Bucks got Game 1 started by scoring a combined 55 points in the first quarter, but the remainder of the game was a defensive slugfest.
Various star players on either side had sub-par games, with particularly poor shooting performances from the Bulls trio of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic, and the Bucks’ Jrue Holiday.
A turnaround to some degree is almost a certainty in Game 2 given the talent of those involved, leading us to some potentially viable player props.
All NBA gameday odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook and current as of Tuesday, April 19, at 3 p.m. ET.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 2 Player Props
Jrue Holiday, Bucks: OVER 18.5 Points (-120)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Holiday finally started to find his groove late in Game 1, but he still totaled a modest 15 points on 6-for-16 shooting. It was a stark departure from his regular-season body of work, including against the Bulls. Holiday shot 52.5% from the field versus Chicago during the year.
Even factoring in Game 1, the Bulls are allowing 47.2% shooting on the road, including 36.3% from behind the arc. Meanwhile, Holiday averaged 18.3 points on the campaign, including 19.3 in four games against Chicago, making this our NBA bet of the day.
Nikola Vucevic, Bulls: To Record A Double-Double (-130)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Vucevic went off for 24 points and 17 rebounds in Game 1 despite going just 9-for-27 from the field. While the volume was certainly an outlier — the big man averaged 15.8 attempts per game during the regular season — his inefficiency was also very atypical.
- Read our full Bucks vs Bulls Game 2 Predictions.
Vucevic shot 47.3% during the regular season, including 42.2% against the Bucks. However, he also drained 40.9% of his three-point attempts against Milwaukee during the regular season, and he came up just a rebound short of another pair of double-doubles in four games during the campaign against the defending champs.
Factoring in Game 1, Vucevic has recorded 45 double-doubles since the start of the regular season, and I like him to accomplish the feat yet again.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 2 Game Props
Bucks To Win by 6-10 Points (+325)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Bets on specific ranges of margins of victory have a healthy dose of risk attached, but the price usually makes it a fun wager to sweat, especially when one has a high degree of certainty on the moneyline to begin with.
That’s the case in Game 2, with Milwaukee a 10-point favorite once again. However, as the Bulls demonstrated in Game 1, they know Milwaukee well and have the ability to keep things close; in fact, three of their five games against the champs since the start of the regular season have been decided by single digits.
The defending champion Bucks enter this year’s playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference after forging a 51-31 mark in the regular season. Milwaukee started the season 6-8 with key absences from Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez, but wound up going 45-23 the rest of the way.
The Bulls’ season was really a tale of two halves. Chicago was 38-21 before the All-Star break and even held the top spot at one point, but finished an ugly 8-15 to wind up with the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. Now, they’ll have to endure without Lonzo Ball, who is expected to miss much of the postseason with a knee injury.
Here are our favorite props for the first game of the NBA Playoffs between the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls.
All NBA gameday odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook and current as of Saturday, April 16, at 3 p.m. ET.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 1 Player Props
DeMar DeRozan, Bulls: OVER 36.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110)
WAGER: 1 Unit
DeMar DeRozan averaged 31.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in four games against the Bucks this season, shooting 47.4% from the field. The All-Star forward put up a career-best 27.9 points along with 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game overall during the 2021-22 campaign.
DeRozan had a 33.7% usage rate with averages of 29.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per 36 minutes with Ball off the floor this season. Given the high stakes at play here in Game 1, he should certainly be aggressive as he tries to help the Bulls overcome their especially long odds.
Considering his body of work overall and against the Bucks, I like DeRozan to hit the Over for our NBA bet of the day.
Jrue Holiday, Bucks: OVER 19.5 Points (-105)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton unsurprisingly get more attention, but Jrue Holiday is a strong, efficient scorer in his own right who finished the regular season shooting 50.1% from the field, including 41.1% from three-point range.
He also thrived against the Bulls, averaging 19.3 points on 52.5% shooting and 41.2% from behind the arc in four games.
- Read our full Bucks vs Bulls Game 1 Predictions.
Chicago allowed 47.3% shooting on the road this season, along with 112.2 points per away game. The Bulls also surrendered 36.6% three-point shooting on the road, while Holiday drained an impressive 45.6% of his shots from behind the arc at home during the regular season.
Bucks vs Bulls Game 1 Game Props
Bulls UNDER 108.5 Points (+100)
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Bulls scored 106 points or fewer in three of their four games against the Bucks this season and 112 in the fourth outing. Milwaukee also posted a No. 8 defensive rating at home against Eastern Conference opponents (108.5), while Chicago mustered just a No. 18 offensive rating on the road (110.0).
This is a matchup that clearly gives the Bulls some trouble on the offensive end.
It’s also worth noting this current crop of Bucks stars has proved very capable of ratcheting up its defense in the postseason — Milwaukee posted a playoff-best 106.8 defensive rating during its title run last summer, allowing less than 108.5 points in 13 of 23 contests.
