Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Preseason Game Prediction and Preview | Oct. 14, 2024

The Milwaukee Bucks have not had the greatest of preseason starts and will hope to course-correct when they host the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum on Monday (Oct. 14). For a team pegged to be title contenders, the Bucks were handed a 33-point drubbing at the hands of the Detroit Pistons in their first preseason game. This was followed by a close 116-112 loss to the LA Lakers.

With two more tune-up games left before their regular season campaign, the Eastern Conference outfit will look to prop up wins and head into their 2024-25 run with some confidence and momentum. They will take on a resurgent Bulls outfit who have looked impressive in the two games they have played so far.

Zach LaVine turned on the jets early this season as he exploded for 15 points in the second quarter in their preseason clash against the Memphis Grizzlies. He ended with 28 points and both teams traded buckets in the final quarter before the Grizzlies hung in to win 124-121.

Chicago opened their practice game with a 116-112 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They play two more warm-up games before getting into their regular season.

The two teams met four times last season. While Milwaukee won the regular season series 3-1, two of those games went into overtime making for intriguing affairs. This year, they play each other four times as well with their first encounter slated for Oct. 25 at Fiserv Forum.

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Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks preview, predicted starting lineups, odds, and prediction

The Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks matchup tips off at 8:00 pm ET. The game will be available on the NBA app and can be viewed with a subscription to the NBA League Pass. Here's a look at the odds as listed at the time of writing.

Teams	Spread	Moneyline	Total (o/u)
Chicago Bulls	+5.5	+170	o222.5 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks	-5.5	-210	u222.5n(-110)

Note: Odds are subject to change closer to tip-off.

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Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks preview

The new-look Chicago Bulls provided a look at their regular season starting five in the first game of their preseason. They slotted summer swap acquisition Josh Giddey as their point guard with Coby White at the two. LaVine moves to provide more teeth as a reliable 3-and-D wing with Patrick Williams to form their frontcourt.

Their reserves have looked promising with Onuralp Bitim, Torrey Craig, Dalen Terry, Talen Horton-Tucker, and rookie Matas Buzelis being plugged in and putting in the efforts on both ends of the floor.

LaVine showed what he was capable of if healthy, and while he has the numbers to show, the question of an imminent trade hangs over his head. The same applies to Nikola Vucevic who has soldiered with the side despite two disappointing seasons on the bounce.

Playing well collectively will see the duo piquing interest from teams ahead of the trade deadline. The real challenge begins when the two exit the franchise.

Chicago is undermanned on defense. The lack of depth and experience in the frontcourt will see them struggle against sides elite from the perimeter. Health and shooting inconsistencies will creep on over the season, but if they continue to do what they did on both ends of the floor, they will be more than a handful for the Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo showed signs of rust during his time on the hardwood against the Lakers. He shot 10-18 from the field to end with 20 points but remains a dominant rebounding presence snagging seven of them in the 20 minutes he suited up for. Damian Lillard has been part of both the preseason skirmishes and struggled against LA with just eight points.

The Milwaukee Bucks need their superstars to fire in tandem. While it's still preseason, there's a flak build-up on social media already against Doc Rivers and one of his assistant coaches, Darvin Ham.

Milwaukee is three years removed from its championship, and the addition of Lillard was made to elevate the side to legitimate title contenders. But they will need to win, and win consistently at that after early postseason exits.

Milwaukee now has three games left to perfect the pick-and-roll synergy between Antetokounmpo and Lillard. They will hope that Khris Middleton will be game-ready when they start the regular season proceedings. More importantly, they will look to their depth to deliver in the non-superstar minutes — all of these that need some progress in the next few days.

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Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks predicted starting lineups

The Bulls will likely stick to Giddey and White sharing guard duties. LaVine and Williams form a promising frontcourt with Vucevic at the five.

Chicago Bulls injuries: Lonzo Ball (knee) is still day-to-day. The guard spoke of suiting up in the last two or three preseason games. If he does take the court on Monday, expect reduced minutes.

The Bucks will start Gary Trent Jr. and Lillard as their backcourt. Antetokounmpo and Taurean Prince beef up the frontcourt with Brook Lopez as center.

Milwaukee Bucks injuries: Khris Middleton (ankle) remains day-to-day but is expected to play the season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks prediction

As impressive as the Bulls have looked, their defense needs to shore up to contain Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Expect a barrage of 3s from LaVine and Lillard with the Milwaukee Bucks notching up their first preseason win.