Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Picks and Predictions for Saturday, December 27, 2025
The Milwaukee Bucks visit the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET. Chicago comes in playing its best stretch of the season, while Milwaukee is trying to stabilize after a rough loss in Memphis. The market reflects that momentum, with the Bulls laying around -6.5, the total sitting near 233.5, and Chicago priced as the clear favorite on the moneyline. The NBA has plenty of action to see each season, but you need to make sure you check out our free NBA Picks.
Milwaukee’s Uphill Battle on the Road
Milwaukee enters this one at 12–19 overall and 4–11 away, and that road split is the first thing I’m weighing when we talk spread and game script. The Bucks’ last five games show how volatile their floor has been: they did grab a convincing win at Indiana, and they’ve had a couple of competitive efforts, but the most recent result was a 125–104 loss at Memphis that got away from them early and never really came back into range. When Milwaukee loses big, it tends to look the same—slow starts, trouble finishing possessions, and a defence that can’t get the game back under control once the pace speeds up.
Stat-wise, Milwaukee is scoring 113.0 PPG while allowing 116.5 PPG. That combination is tough to overcome on the road because it means they need above-average shot-making just to keep pace. They do shoot efficiently (49% FG), but the rest of the profile points to why they can still struggle despite that number: 40.0 rebounds per game is light, and when you’re getting beaten in the possession battle you turn “good shooting night” into “still not enough” pretty quickly. Their passing numbers (26.5 assists) suggest they can generate decent looks, but the overall scoring output hasn’t matched the efficiency—usually a sign that they’re either playing slower, getting fewer extra chances, or not living at the line enough to turn efficiency into volume.
Injuries matter here as well, and Milwaukee’s list is significant: Gary Trent Jr. (OUT), Giannis Antetokounmpo (OUT), and Taurean Prince (OUT). Even without breaking down roles too deeply, that’s the type of absence cluster that narrows rotation flexibility and makes it harder to win the physical battles—especially against a Bulls team that’s been flying.
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Chicago’s Current Hot Streak and Why It’s Working
Chicago sits at 15–15 overall and 8–6 at home, which doesn’t scream “dominant season,” but the recent form is the real story. The Bulls have won five straight, and their last five results are basically a highlight reel of offensive confidence and tempo control: a win at home over Philadelphia, back-to-back high-scoring wins in Atlanta, and then two more wins against Cleveland (one of them on the road). When a .500-ish team strings together wins like that, it’s usually because they’ve found an identity—and right now Chicago’s identity is: push pace, score in bunches, and keep attacking for 48 minutes.
The stats back that up. Chicago is putting up 119.7 PPG, and yes, they’re also allowing 122.3 PPG, which is the “anything can happen” number that keeps totals in play. But the reason they’ve been winning anyway is that they’ve been outscoring the chaos—and doing it with a team profile that’s built for track meets: 48% FG, a strong assist rate (29.4 per game), and solid rebounding (45.2 per game) that helps them keep the possession count high. Even when their defence isn’t tidy, they’ve been good at making sure the opponent can’t relax.
On the injury report, Chicago lists Noa Essengue (OFS). From a betting angle, that’s not the kind of report that usually spooks a market or changes a game plan—especially compared to the volume of names on Milwaukee’s side.
What Decides This Game
This matchup comes down to a very simple question: Can Milwaukee slow Chicago down and turn this into a half-court game? If the answer is yes, Milwaukee can make this uncomfortable and keep the margin tight, because slower games compress possessions and reduce the number of “runaway” sequences.
But if Chicago gets the game into its preferred rhythm—quick decisions, constant pressure, lots of shot volume—Milwaukee’s weaknesses (road inconsistency, points allowed, and rebounding profile) become much harder to hide. Chicago’s assist numbers suggest they’re seeing the floor well, and Milwaukee’s recent defensive results suggest they can get stretched if the opponent plays fast and confident.
Picks and Predictions
Chicago Bulls -6.5
I’m leaning to Chicago -6.5 because the matchup sets up well for what the Bulls are doing right now. Milwaukee’s road record (4–11) and the fact that they’re coming off a lopsided loss are key signals for me—this is not a team I want to pay to “show up” away from home, especially when the opponent is currently in a groove. Chicago’s win streak isn’t fluky either; it’s been sustained by high-level scoring output and consistent pace. If Chicago plays their game, Milwaukee has to win two battles at once—keep up on the scoreboard and survive the possession count—and that’s a tall order with Milwaukee’s rebounding number sitting at 40.0 per game.
The other reason I’m comfortable laying it: Chicago has been winning by making games messy. Even if the defence gives up points, the Bulls can still cover by simply keeping pressure on for four quarters and creating separation through runs. With Milwaukee missing Giannis Antetokounmpo plus additional rotation pieces (Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince), it’s harder to picture Milwaukee sustaining the kind of two-way performance you usually need to win or cover in a hostile building against a hot team. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for the Bucks with the Thrillz promo code. Make the most of your bets on the Bulls by using the sportsbook promos. Make sure when you place your Bucks vs Bulls bet you are using the bet365 bonus code.
Lean to Under 233.5 (but it’s not my favourite)
The total is tricky because Chicago’s games have had that track-meet feel, and their “points allowed” number is massive. That said, Milwaukee’s scoring profile (113.0 PPG) doesn’t naturally scream “I’m dragging you to 235+,” and if they’re undermanned they may prefer to shorten the game and reduce possessions. The risk, of course, is that Chicago alone can push a total upward if they’re hot and the game turns into free throws and transition.
If I’m playing this game, I’m prioritising the side over the total. My lean is Under 233.5, but only as a secondary angle.
Projected score: Bulls 121, Bucks 112
Best bet: Bulls -6.5
Secondary lean: Under 233.5
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