Chicago must be smiling right now. The Bulls nabbed a talented power forward in Pau Gasol through free agency last summer to complement Joakim Noah at the frontcourt. Derrick Rose is relatively healthy heading into the playoffs. All is set for a potential deep playoff run.
But the Bulls have a tough out in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. They face a young Milwaukee squad eager to bounce back from a horrific 2013-2014 season. Read on for everything you need to know heading into this series. Don’t miss out on the other big matchups in the East. Check out our complete previews for the Nets vs. Hawks and Celtics vs. Cavaliers.
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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls Preview
Series Scores and Schedule
Game 1- April 18, 7:00 PM ET, Milwaukee Bucks (+7.5) at Chicago Bulls (-7.5); total: 186.5 – view all NBA lines
Game 2 – April 20, 8:00 PM ET, Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
Game 3 – April 23, 8:00 PM ET, Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks
Game 4 – April 25, 5:30 PM ET, Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks
Game 5 – April 27, TBD, Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
Game 6 – April 30, TBD, Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks
Game 7 – May 2, TBD, Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
Betting on the Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks finished as the worst team in the league last season. But they’re back in the playoffs this time around using their combination of length and defense. The Bucks have limited their opponents to just 97.4 points per game this season, fourth in the Eastern Conference. They certainly have the physical tools to limit the Bulls’ excellent offense.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Giannis Antetokounmpo is as adept on defense as he is on the attack. He’s averaging 12.7 points per game, while averaging 6.7 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.05 blocks per game. But he’s mostly struggled against the Bulls, scoring just under 10 points per game while averaging four personal fouls per game in four matchups this season.
Milwaukee also has Michael Carter-Williams, who can hound a turnover prone Derrick Rose (3.2 per game). MCW is averaging 2.04 steals per game this season, good for third in the league. He’s also a capable scorer and playmaker averaging 14.1 points and 5.6 assists per game. MCW did pretty well in his lone showing against Chicago this season (a 95-91 home win), finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
But the Bucks’ talent dips significantly at the frontcourt. Ersan Ilyasova is more of an outside shooter (39 percent from three-point range) than a post player. Zaza Pachulia is averaging 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds as Milwaukee’s starting center. They still excel in locking down the paint on defense, though. The Bucks have allowed the least points in paint per game (39.8) this season, which may come into play against Chicago’s excellent big men.
Milwaukee has won its last three games on the road.
Betting on the Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose missed the Bulls’ past two playoff appearances. But he’s relatively healthy entering the 2015 postseason to give Chicago the depth needed to excel at the highest levels. Rose is one of six Bulls players averaging 10 or more points this season.
Rose may not post MVP-like numbers against the Bulls’ first round opponent, Milwaukee. In the two games he’s played against the Bucks, he’s averaged 10.5 points on 22 percent shooting. But he did do well with his playmaking as he dished out a total of 15 assists.
Should Rose figure to be more of a playmaker in this game, he’ll have plenty of weapons at his disposal. Pau Gasol has been a monster with his inside game. Gasol is averaging 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He should prove to be a tough matchup against Milwaukee’s less-than-stellar frontcourt. Gasol is averaging 24.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game against the Bucks.
Nikola Mirotic is another threat at power forward but for different reasons. He has excelled in catch-and-shoot situations to nail some crucial three-pointers from the wings. Jimmy Butler is another capable three-point shooter, nailing 38 percent of his shots from downtown. He’s averaging a team-high 20 points per game.
The Bulls are 4-1 SU/ATS in their last five games against Milwaukee.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bulls blow out Milwaukee in Game 1. Delve into the exciting world of the NBA postseason. Create a betting account now and make your picks.
