Bulls vs. Bucks Prop & Spread Bets and Prediction for Game 2

The first round of the 2021-22 NBA Playoffs continues Wednesday, April 20 with three matchups, including Game 2 of the Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks series at 9:30 pm ET on TNT.

Game 1 was a rather low-scoring affair on Sunday night, resulting in a 93-86 victory for the Bucks to take the 1-0 series lead. Although there wasn’t that much offense showcased, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for Milwaukee with 27 points.

If the Bulls want to get back into the series, they’re going to need a better team shooting display than what they showed in Game 1 (31-of-96 from the field). However, that’ll be easier said than done against the defending champions.

Will the Bulls head back to the United Center with the series tied 1-1? Or will the Bucks take a stranglehold with the 2-0 lead?

#6 Chicago Bulls vs. #3 Milwaukee Bucks Game 2 Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Game Matchup: #6 Chicago Bulls (46-36, #6 seed in the Eastern Conference) vs. #3 Milwaukee Bucks (51-31, #3 seed in the Eastern Conference)
• Venue & Location: Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
• Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Bulls vs. Bucks Game 2: TNT

Raptors vs. 76ers Game 3 Betting Odds

BetOnline Sportsbook

• Spread: Chicago Bulls +10 (-110), Milwaukee Bucks -10 (-110)
• Total: OVER 225 (-110), UNDER 225 (-110)
• Moneyline: Chicago Bulls +410, Milwaukee Bucks -550

Bovada Sportsbook

• Spread: Chicago Bulls +10 (-110), Milwaukee Bucks -10 (-110)
• Total: OVER 225 (-110), UNDER 225 (-110)
• Moneyline: Chicago Bulls +400, Milwaukee Bucks -550

BetUS

• Spread: Chicago Bulls +10 (-110), Milwaukee Bucks -10 (-110)
• Total: OVER 225 (-112), UNDER 225 (-109)
• Moneyline: Chicago Bulls +390, Milwaukee Bucks -500

Bulls Need More From DeRozan, LaVine in Game 2

Although the Bulls only lost by seven points in Game 1, they’re lucky that the deficit wasn’t worse. As mentioned above, the team shot an abysmal .323 from the field — as well as .189 from three-point range — and that’s a recipe for disaster.

One reason why the Bulls struggled as they did was that Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, Chicago’s best players, had performances to forget.

While DeRozan is usually money from the field, he finished with 18 points on 6-of-25 shooting (.240) in nearly 43 minutes of action. He’s already said that he’s confident that the Bulls’ shooting will improve, however, he must lead by example.

DeMar DeRozan: "I don't know what the hell was going on. Probably a week off. It just wasn't me. Every shot felt good. I guarantee you me, Vooch and Zach aren't going to miss that many next game."

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 18, 2022

Speaking of LaVine, he wasn’t much better, going 6-of-19 from the field and 2-of-10 from beyond the arc for 18 of his own points. Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic was the lone bright spot with his 24-point, 17-rebound double-double, although his .333 field-goal percentage left a lot to be desired.

Outside of Chicago’s trio of DeRozan, LaVine and Vucevic, the rest of the Bulls’ lineup combined for only 26 points in Game 1. That might be fine for a meaningless regular-season game, but that spells disaster against a championship contender like the Bucks.

Bucks Must Start Game 2 Off Strong

One of the keys to the Bucks’ Game 1 victory was that they began things off strong, outscoring the Bulls, 34-21, in the first quarter. It was looking like it was going to be a blowout until it wasn’t.

Even if the Bucks walked away with the win, they were outscored, 65-59, in the final three quarters by the Bulls. If the former wants to make a statement against the latter, they need to show why they’re the defending NBA Champions in the first place.

Giannis will, once again, be leaned upon try and give Milwaukee the 2-0 lead. He had a game-high 27 points and 16 rebounds on Sunday, but his .526/.250/.545 splits prove that there’s still room for improvement (he shot .553/.293/.722 during the regular season).

The Bucks will also need Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton to pick up some slack. The duo combined for just 26 points on 10-of-29 shooting in Game 1, which isn’t something Milwaukee wanted to see from its best players.

Holiday and Middleton are much better than that and the Bucks need them to prove it if LaVine and DeRozan end up having bounce-back performances tonight.

Milwaukee’s bench also only combined for 16 points on 5-of-19 shooting, which is another issue that head coach Mike Budenholzer must address.

Bulls vs. Bucks Game 2 Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction: Bucks 115, Bulls 109

Best Bets: Bulls +10 (-110 at BetOnline Sportsbook) and Under 225 (-109 at BetUS)

I think that both teams will start off strong, however, I don’t see it being a high-scoring affair. The Bulls and Bucks both have a lot to prove, which will lead to a closer game than many expect.

Best Prop Pick for Bulls vs. Bucks Game 2: DeMar DeRozan Over 27.5 Points (-116 at BetOnline Sportsbook)

As for the best prop bet, I’m taking DeRozan’s word that the won’t miss as many shots as he did last game.

It’s important to remember that DeRozan was an NBA MVP candidate at one point this season due to him taking his game to the next level in Chicago. He may not be that hot right now, but there’s reason to believe in him.

In four regular-season meetings against the Bucks in 2021-22, DeRozan averaged an impressive 31.3 points on .474/.231/.968 shooting.

In those four matchups, he finished with 28 or more points on three occasions, including a pair of 35-plus-point efforts.

Yes, the playoffs are a different beast from the regular season, however, history has proven that DeRozan can put up big numbers against the Bucks.

Other NBA Playoff Games for Today (April 20, 2022)

• 76ers-Raptors NBA Playoff Prediction & Prop Bets for Game 3
• Nets-Celtics Prediction, Best Spread & Prop Bets for Game 2