Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Picks and Prediction for Saturday December 27 2025

By: Kim Smith Published 12/27/2025, 06:00 AM ET
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The Milwaukee Bucks continue their road trip on Saturday night as they visit the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, with coverage on CHSN.

Before diving into the breakdown, make sure to check out our other free NBA picks, where we analyse every matchup on the board using the same stats-first, matchup-driven approach. This game is particularly interesting because it features two teams trending in very different directions, with injuries and recent form playing a major role in shaping the betting outlook.

Game Information and Betting Snapshot

  • Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
  • Time: 8:00 PM ET
  • Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL
  • TV: CHSN
  • Matchup Predictor: Chicago 59.5% | Milwaukee 40.5%

Chicago enters as the modest favourite at home, while Milwaukee looks to overcome ongoing road struggles and a depleted frontcourt.

Milwaukee Bucks: Road Struggles and Missing Firepower

Milwaukee comes into this matchup with a 12–18 overall record, including a concerning 4–10 record away from home. While the Bucks are capable of putting together strong individual performances, their season has been defined by inconsistency, particularly when playing outside of Milwaukee.

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Offensively, the Bucks are averaging 113.0 points per game, which is respectable, but it has not been enough to offset a defence allowing 116.2 points per contest. That negative margin has repeatedly put Milwaukee in difficult positions late in games, especially against teams that push the pace.

The Bucks’ leading scorer this season has been Ryan Rollins, who is averaging 17.2 points per game while shooting 47.9% from the field and 76.7% from the free-throw line. Rollins has provided steady production, but Milwaukee’s offence lacks a consistent interior threat and struggles to generate easy points when perimeter shots are not falling.

Rebounding is another concern. Milwaukee averages just 40.0 rebounds per game, one of the lower figures in the league. That weakness becomes magnified against teams like Chicago that move the ball well and generate second-chance opportunities.

Recent form shows flashes of competitiveness but also volatility. Over their last five games, the Bucks are 2–3, including a dominant 111–94 road win at Indiana, but also a 127–82 loss at Brooklyn, a game that got away from them quickly once momentum shifted.

Key Injuries – Milwaukee Bucks

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (F): OUT (Dec 31)
  • Taurean Prince (F): OUT (Jan 2)
  • Gary Trent Jr. (G): GTD (Dec 26)

The absence of Antetokounmpo is especially significant. Without his scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence, Milwaukee’s margin for error shrinks considerably, particularly on the road against a team playing with confidence.

Chicago Bulls: Offensive Momentum and Home-Court Stability

Chicago enters Saturday night with a 14–15 record, including a solid 7–6 mark at home. While the Bulls have been inconsistent earlier in the season, they are clearly trending upward, riding a four-game winning streak and posting a 5–5 record over their last 10 games.

The Bulls are averaging 119.7 points per game, one of the stronger offensive outputs among mid-tier teams, though that comes with defensive risk, as they allow 123.0 points per contest. This profile has resulted in several high-scoring games, particularly during their current winning run.

Chicago’s offensive leader has been Josh Giddey, who is averaging 20.0 points per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Giddey’s ability to facilitate and score efficiently has been central to Chicago’s recent surge, especially in transition-heavy games.

Ball movement has been a key strength for the Bulls. They average 29.4 assists per game, which helps compensate for defensive lapses by keeping pressure on opponents throughout the game. Chicago has also been effective on the glass, pulling down 45.2 rebounds per game, a notable edge against a Milwaukee team that struggles in that area.

Chicago’s recent results underline their current rhythm. In their last five games, the Bulls have scored 126, 152, 136, and 127 points in four wins, demonstrating a clear offensive upswing.

Key Injuries – Chicago Bulls

  • Noa Essengue (F): OFS (Oct 1)

Chicago’s injury report is minimal compared to Milwaukee’s, allowing the Bulls to maintain continuity and depth during this stretch.

Matchup Dynamics and Statistical Lean

From a matchup perspective, Chicago’s strengths align well against Milwaukee’s weaknesses. The Bulls’ rebounding advantage and ball movement contrast sharply with the Bucks’ struggles on the glass and defensive inefficiency.

The ESPN matchup predictor reflects this imbalance, giving Chicago a 59.5% chance to win. Combined with Milwaukee’s 4–10 road record and the absence of key frontcourt contributors, the Bulls are positioned to dictate tempo, particularly if they push the pace early.

If Chicago continues to score at its recent rate, Milwaukee may find itself chasing the game for long stretches — a scenario that has not favoured the Bucks this season.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls Pick

Against the Spread Pick

Chicago Bulls -2

Chicago’s recent offensive form, combined with Milwaukee’s road struggles and injury situation, makes the Bulls the more reliable side. With a short spread, Chicago does not need a dominant performance — just sustained efficiency and control of the boards to cover.

Total Pick

Over 228.5

Both teams allow more than 116 points per game, and Chicago’s recent results point strongly toward higher totals. With the Bulls averaging nearly 120 points per game and Milwaukee capable of contributing offensively even in losses, the over presents solid value if this game maintains a competitive pace.

Final Prediction

This matchup sets up as a contrast between a Milwaukee team searching for consistency and a Chicago squad playing its best basketball of the season. With healthier personnel, stronger rebounding, and a confident offence, the Bulls hold several edges that matter in a close spread environment.

Final Score Prediction: Chicago Bulls 121, Milwaukee Bucks 114

That outcome supports Chicago against the spread and pushes the game past the posted total, making the Bulls and the over the preferred betting options for Saturday night at the United Center.

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