After dropping the last two games the No. 3 Chicago Bulls ( 3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS ) look to close out their first-round series with the No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks ( 2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS ) Thursday when the teams meet in Game Six. You can watch the game live on TNT.
After failing in their first two tries to wrap up the series, the Bulls are suddenly locked in a tight battle with the underdog Bucks. Chicago appeared on its way to a sweep and now has to win on Milwaukee’s floor for the second time in the series to avoid a Game Seven confrontation.
The Bucks are well aware that no team has ever rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to claim victory and several players have said, “why not us.” With a nothing-to-lose attitude and some serious momentum Milwaukee has put a major scare into the Bulls and can even the series with a win. The Bucks climbed out of an 0-3 hole with consecutive wins, including a Game Five 94-88 stunner in Chicago.
KEY INJURY
Milwaukee point guard Michael Carter-Williams injured his right ankle in Monday’s game when he stepped on Pau Gasol’s foot early in the third quarter. He left the floor, went to the locker room to get his ankle re-taped, and returned without missing a beat.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I don’t know if we were comfortable or confident or overlooking them. I just think we didn’t play with enough sense of urgency and desire, which you have to do when you’re ready to close out a team when you have them in that position. We’re going to have to play the next game like it’s the last game, not think that if we lose this one we still have a chance, that we can play at home in Game Seven. That would be a terrible mistake.” – Bulls center Pau Gasol
BETTING TRENDS
- Chicago is 11-4 ATS in the last 15 head-to-head meetings in Milwaukee.
- Milwaukee is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 Thursday games.
- The OVER is 9-4 in Chicago’s last 13 road games.
KEY STATS
5: After leading the NBA during the regular season with 54 double-doubles, Chicago’s Pau Gasol is averaging 15.8 points and 12.6 rebounds while collecting five double-doubles in the series.
3: Only three teams have forced a Game Seven after falling behind 3-0 and the Bucks are confident they can make it four.
14: Bucks center John Henson had another strong game off the bench Monday grabbing a playoff career-high 14 rebounds for the second time in the series.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
So much for this series being a quick, easy tune-up for the Bulls. Suddenly they’re on their heels and in danger of losing control against a Bucks team that has gained momentum and completely shutdown Chicago’s backcourt in two wins. Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler will need to bounce-back from poor efforts if the Bulls are to avoid a seventh game in the series. The two were a combined 10 of 41 shooting with Butler scoring 20 points, his lowest output of the series, and Rose getting 13, his third game with 15 or fewer points in the series.
Many of the so-called experts were already previewing a Cleveland-Chicago second round series as if it already was a done deal, but the Bucks were having none of that. A gutty performance by point guard Michael Carter-Williams and a sterling defensive effort gave the Bucks their second straight win in the series and put the pressure on the Bulls. The Bucks outclassed and outhustled the Bulls while posting a 94-88 win Monday with MCW thoroughly outplaying Derrick Rose scoring 22 points with nine assists and eight rebounds.
The Bulls did exactly what they didn’t want to do in this series – they gave the Bucks hope by not closing it out. Milwaukee used its length and athleticism to disrupt Chicago’s offensive flow, force turnovers and limit the Bulls to poor shooting. Exactly the style of play the Bucks thrive on with a group that struggles to put the ball in the basket. It’s simple for the Bulls, take care of the basketball and make a higher percentage of your shots and a meeting with Cleveland is your reward.
Chicago 98, Milwaukee 92
The NBA odds for this game will first available at BookMaker sportsbook. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks is slated for Thursday, April 30, 2015, at 7 p.m. ET at the Bradley Center. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
