Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks 4/20/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Matchup Preview (4/20/22)

After an ugly Game One that saw merely 179 points scored, the Chicago Bulls will once again try to find success against the Milwaukee Bucks, who has won five straight matchups in the 2021-22 season. Chicago has struggled all season against elite teams, winning merely one game against the top three teams in either conference; the Bulls became known for that statistic more than anything else this year. That lone game they won was against the Boston Celtics in November, which was well before the C’s became the team they are today so that hardly counts. Unfortunately for Chicago, it cannot beat quality teams, and Milwaukee qualifies as one, despite its roller-coaster season.

Meanwhile, the Bucks have been firing on all cylinders, ranking second in offensive rating since February 1, 2022; however, that was hardly apparent in their narrow Game One victory. In that game, Milwaukee shot merely 10-for-38 for an atrocious 26% from deep. Luckily, Chicago shot it even worse from behind the arc, so it did not matter in the end. The Bucks should be able to turn things around in Game Two because Chicago is amongst the worst teams in the league in allowing wide open three-pointers. Check the betting odds section below to see if I think the spread is too wide for the Milwaukee Bucks to cover or not!

Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

I think there is something to be said in sports about a team that has your number. This is precisely the case with the Chicago Bulls, who just cannot beat the Milwaukee Bucks if the world’s existence depended on it. Chicago is 0-5 this season against the Bucks, and the average deficit in those games is 13.2 points. DeMar DeRozan should play much better in this game, which will boost the Bulls offensively, but it is doubtful that the Bucks will be anywhere near their point total from the first game. I’m expecting a much higher scoring game in this matchup that leads to a double-digit win for the Bucks. I will take Milwaukee against the spread up to nine points. Double-digits is too high for me in a playoff game between non play-in teams, even if one of the teams is the Bulls.

How To Watch

Date: 4/20/22
Time: 9:30 PM ET
Arena: Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI
Channel: TNT

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Chicago Bulls Starting Lineup

PG: Alex Caruso
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Patrick Williams
C: Nikola Vucevic

Chicago Bulls Analysis

Chicago had its shot to take an early series lead and grab a game on the road from the Bucks. It held Milwaukee to merely 93 points on 40.5% from the field and 26.3% from deep. The possibility of that situation happening again is very slim because Chicago does not boast a strong defense, especially without guard Lonzo Ball in the lineup. Since March 1, 2022, the Bulls have the fifth-worst defensive rating in the NBA, which should give you an idea of the possibility of them holding the Bucks under 100 points again. I would also expect a much better outing from Chicago on the offensive side of the ball, including from its leading scorer DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan seems certain that he will not shoot 6-for-25 from the floor again in this series, and while that is more than likely true, it probably won’t matter. The only chance the Bulls have at prolonging this series is by playing suffocating defense in every game. I don’t believe they are capable of that for 48 minutes over multiple games.

Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup

PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez

Milwaukee Bucks Analysis

Milwaukee survived Game One at home by locking down on defense, especially on DeMar DeRozan, who took 25 shots and only made six of them. This is what championship-caliber teams do in April-June because not every night will be a prosperous shooting night, especially when there is so much at stake and everyone is buckling down on the defensive end. Luckily, this is not a difficult matchup for the Milwaukee Bucks; they have won every game (5) against the Bulls this season and will have plenty of open looks from three in this series. Chicago is atrocious in how many open threes it allows, and Milwaukee is seventh in 3P% (three-point percentage) on the season.