Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks predicted starting lineups and depth chart for Oct. 25 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Chicago Bulls vs the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday is the first of four meetings between the two teams in the 2024-25 NBA season. Chicago is looking to bag its first win of the season after losing 123-111 on Wednesday to the New Orleans Pelicans. Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Josh Giddey lead the Bulls.

Meanwhile, the Bucks opened their season with a 124-109 win against the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers two nights ago. Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounpo impressed against the Sixers who were without Joel Embiid and Paul George. Chicago is healthy, but the hosts look to give their fans a home opening win.

---

Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks: Injury report

Chicago Bulls injury report

The Bulls, who continue to monitor Lonzo Ball’s workload, will hold him out on Friday. E.J. Liddell, Adam Sanogo and DJ Steward are unavailable, as they have been assigned to the G League.

Milwaukee Bucks injury report

Khris Middleton will not suit up for the Bucks as he recovers from an offseason ankle injury. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez are designated as probable, but both are expected to play.

---

Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks: Starting lineups and depth charts

Chicago Bulls starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Coby White	Jevon Carter
Josh Giddey	Ayo Dosunmu	Chris Duarte
Zach LaVine	Matas Buzelis	Torrey Craig
Patrick Williams	Jalen Smith
Nikola Vucevic

Milwaukee Bucks starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Damian Lillard	Delon Wright
Gary Trent Jr.	Pat Connaughton	A.J. Green
Taurean Prince	MarJon Beauchamp	Chris Livingston
Giannis Antetokounmpo	Tyler Smith
Brook Lopez	Bobby Portis

---

Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks: Key matchups

Damian Lillard vs Coby White

Damian Lillard was spectacular against the Philadelphia 76ers, scattering a game-high 30 points on 9-for-19 shooting, including 6-for-12 from deep. “Dame Time” added nine rebounds and six assists. When Lillard plays like that and Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the floor, the Bucks are tough to beat.

Coby White, who struggled against the Pelicans, has to help slow down the Bucks’ superstar guard on Friday. Josh Giddey and Zach LaVine will get their chance to shadow Lillard, but White will match up against the eight-time All-Star.

Gary Trent Jr. vs Zach LaVine

Zach LaVine carried the Bulls’ scoring load versus the Pelicans, as Coby White didn’t have his shooting touch. If White struggles again, LaVine must step up again.

Lining up across the high-leaping guard will be Gary Trent Jr., an underrated defender. Trent could also challenge LaVine on offense with his outside sniping.

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Nikola Vucevic or Patrick Williams

Doc Rivers’ two-big combo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez should force Chicago to make tough decisions.

Bulls coach Billy Donovan could start with Patrick Williams, who will be undersized against the “Greek Freak.” If Antetokounmpo gets hot inside the paint, Donovan could turn to the bigger but slower Nikola Vucevic.

The two-time MVP dominated Philadelphia with 25 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and one block. Chicago will be in for a long night on the road if it can’t slow him down.