A late afternoon tip-off kickstarts today’s loaded NBA slate, with the Bulls and Bucks set to take the court. Chicago has been outside of the playoff picture for years, but a new young core holds plenty of potential. It’s rebuilding time in Milwaukee, as the franchise is still adjusting to life without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Which of these divisional rivals will pick up their first win of the season on Friday?
The Bucks enter today’s matchup as 1.5-point favorites, with the total set at 240.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Friday’s Chicago vs. Milwaukee contest.
Bulls vs. Bucks prediction, preview
An offseason of hope for Chicago hit a snag on Wednesday. The team lost in embarrassing fashion, as the Raptors earned a dominant 135-92 victory. It’s only one game, but not the kind of start most Bulls fans were expecting. On the bright side, fourth overall pick Caleb Wilson held his own. The rookie recorded 16 points, four rebounds and three steals against Toronto. His progression will likely determine whether this group can compete for an Eastern Conference play-in spot.
One name that struggled early was Josh Giddey. The Australian shot just one-for-ten against the Raptors (10% FG), only scoring two points. However, it’s reasonable to assume this is a blip in the radar. Last season, the guard averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game. Two other players poised for productive seasons are Matas Buzelis and Norman Powell, the latter coming over from Miami this offseason. With that being said, this inexperienced roster doesn’t make for the safest bet. Their youth has shown on the other end of the floor, where stops have proven elusive for the Bulls. Chicago posted a 118.1 defensive rating last season, ninth-worst in the NBA.
It’s not as if things are looking much better for the Bucks. As previously mentioned, Antetokounmpo is finally gone. In the aftermath of his trade to Miami, the team is left with several new pieces. Still, none of them even come close to the two-time MVP’s impact on the court. Former All-Star Tyler Herro will likely serve as Milwaukee’s leading scorer; he dropped 24 points during Wednesday’s loss to Washington. Veteran center Myles Turner is still around, while new additions Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel’el Ware could earn larger roles going forward. Ryan Rollins (17.3 PPG, 5.6 APG) enjoyed a breakout 2025-26 campaign; he’s a name to watch at guard.
Despite possessing a collection of intriguing young talent, the Bucks aren’t the most intimidating squad. Keep in mind, this crew had a record of 15-31 without Antetokounmpo on the floor last season. There’s no reason to believe they can keep pace in the loaded East. This group was even worse than the Bulls with a 119.3 defensive rating, fourth-lowest in all of basketball last season. New names such as Herro and Ware might make Milwaukee even weaker in that regard. Opponents drained 14.8 three-pointers per game against the Bucks last season, second-most in the association. Chicago’s offense knocked down 14.3 shots per game from deep, tied for eighth-most in the NBA.
Best Bet: Bulls vs. Bucks over 240.5 points (-105)
This line is close for a reason; neither of these teams can be trusted at the moment. Keeping that in mind, the best play available is on the over. These are two flawed defensive units, offering inconsistent effort throughout all of last season. If Wednesday’s performances are any indication, that’s unlikely to change any time soon. Chicago’s high-paced offense should force Milwaukee into pushing up the floor as well. If that occurs, plenty of points will follow.
