The Chicago Bulls (50%) and Milwaukee Bucks were both on the wrong end of double digit losses in their season openers.
I'm more confident in a Chicago rebound, and am backing Josh Giddey to play a pivotal role on the glass with my Bulls vs. Bucks predictions.
Let's dig deeper into my NBA picks for Friday, Oct. 23.
Bulls vs Bucks prediction: Chicago Bulls moneyline
I like the Chicago Bulls to 52%.
The Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks were two of the three worst teams in terms of assist-to-turnover ratio in their debuts.
The difference is Chicago faced a high-end Toronto defense featuring elite stoppers like Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and Collin Murray-Boyles. Meanwhile, the Bucks faced an inexperienced Washington team lacking strong on-ball and point-of-attack defenders.
Chicago will have an easier time protecting the rock in this game, and they also figure to have the advantage on the glass.
COVERS INTEL: Josh Giddey recorded a team-high 13 rebounds chances in Chicago's first game of the season.
Bulls vs Bucks combo
I’m combining the Bulls on the moneyline with Josh Giddey to clean up on the glass and Norman Powell to drop 20.
The Bucks rank 23rd in rebound share thus far and figure to struggle in that area without Giannis. Giddey is ultra-aggressive on the glass and cleared his line against the Raptors in just 24 minutes.
Powell scored 20+ points in 34 of 51 games last season when playing in a game with a 230 total or higher. He also averaged 22.8 points against teams ranking Bottom-10 in limiting 3-point attempts and catch-and-shoots.
Bulls vs Bucks combo
- Bulls moneyline
- Josh Giddey Over 7.5 rebounds
- Norman Powell Over 19.5 points
Bulls vs Bucks player props
TOP PICK
Bulls player prop: Josh Giddey Over 7.5 rebounds
I'm playing Giddey for 8+ boards to 50%. The Bucks were not a good rebounding team last season and that was predictably an issue in their opener without Giannis.
They allowed 57 rebounds and grabbed just 45.9% of the boards, ranking 23rd in the league.
Giddey feasted in advantageous rebounding matchups last season, going Over 7.5 boards in 20 of 23 games vs. Bottom-12 rebounding teams. He averaged an impressive 9.7 in those contests.
Giddey led the Bulls in rebound chances and grabbed seven in just 24 minutes against the Raptors. Expect him to make noise on the glass again in this one.
Bucks player prop: Tyler Herro Over 5.5 assists
Tyler Herro was the primary ball-handler and offensive hub in his season debut, and I'm backing him to 52%.
He made 41 passes and led the team with 12 potential assists. Jaime Jaquez Jr. (8) was the only other player with more than five potentials.
Herro has dropped at least six dimes in 15 of the past 20 games in which he dished out 10+ potentials, including all five since the beginning of last season.
The Bulls just allowed seven assists to Immanuel Quickley in 28 minutes, and five to Jamal Shead in just 15 minutes. Likely to play 30+ minutes, Herro should have ample opportunity to make the Bulls pay with his playmaking.
- Top picks: 1-0, +1.0 units
- Combos: 1-0, +3.50 units
Bulls vs Bucks odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Bulls +1.5 (50%) | Bucks -1.5 (51%)
- Over/Under: Over 239.5 (51%) | Under 239.5 (50%)
- Moneyline: Bulls 49% | Bucks 52%
For the full slate of NBA matchups, check out our NBA odds board!
Bulls vs Bucks trend
Josh Giddey averaged 9.3 rebounds per game against Milwaukee last season. Find more NBA betting trends.
How to watch Bulls vs Bucks
| Location | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee |
| Date | Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 |
| Tip off | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | LeaguePass |
Bulls vs Bucks latest injuries
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