Chicago and Milwaukee meet Friday afternoon at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with both trying to recover from disappointing opening losses. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET, moved earlier to accommodate the Brewers’ World Series opener. Coverage includes CHSN and the Bucks’ local television and streaming outlets. Milwaukee is favored by 1.5 points, with the total at 238.5. I’m taking the Bucks to cover, although the under is my stronger preference.
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Bulls vs Bucks Game Information
| Game Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks |
| Date | Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Tipoff | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| Arena | Fiserv Forum |
| Location | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Coverage | CHSN / CHSN App; WCGV / Bucks+ |
| Spread used | Milwaukee -1.5 |
| Total used | 238.5 |
Chicago Needs to Stop Giving Possessions Away
Chicago enters 0-1 overall and 0-1 on the road after losing 135-92 at Toronto on Wednesday. The Bulls were down 20 after the first quarter and never recovered. One game does not establish how this team will play all season, but there was more wrong than a few missed jumpers. Chicago struggled to create useful possessions and made Toronto’s offensive work easier with repeated mistakes. Friday needs to start with a more organized effort.
The Bulls made 27 of 85 shots, including just four of 36 from three. That works out to 31.8% overall and 11.1% beyond the arc. Some improvement is a reasonable expectation. The bigger issue was 27 turnovers, which Toronto converted into 35 points. Chicago cannot afford another night like that, particularly while its offense is still finding its footing. Taking care of the ball would help the defense, too. It is much easier to defend Milwaukee after a shot than after a live-ball giveaway.
Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 17 points and six rebounds, but he made only two of eight shots and needed 13 made free throws to reach that scoring total. Josh Giddey finished with two points, seven rebounds and six assists while shooting one of 10. Chicago needs more efficient creation from him. The NBA’s October 22, 4:45 p.m. ET report lists Giddey as probable with a left wrist sprain and Nic Claxton as out with a left hamstring strain. Zach Collins and Tobe Awaka are probable, while Jordan Hawkins and Dailyn Swain are questionable with gastrointestinal illness. The frontcourt absences and uncertainty leave less room for foul trouble.
Milwaukee Has Enough Scoring, but the Stops Have to Follow
Milwaukee is 0-1 overall and 0-0 at home after Wednesday’s 128-116 loss at Washington. The Bucks led 56-51 at halftime before the game slipped away. That makes this an important opportunity to settle down at home, but simply changing buildings does not solve the defensive problems. Chicago is coming off a much worse loss, yet Milwaukee still has to earn the advantage rather than wait for the Bulls to struggle again.
The Bucks scored 116 points and made 15 three-pointers against Washington. There was enough offense to compete. The problem was allowing a 21-2 Washington surge and failing to contain the Wizards’ interior production. Chicago offers a different challenge, but the lesson is similar: Milwaukee needs to prevent easy chances before worrying about matching baskets. If the Bucks force Chicago into set possessions and make the Bulls execute without turning it over, they have a practical route to controlling the game.
Tyler Herro scored 24 points and handed out nine assists in his Milwaukee debut, giving the Bucks both scoring and creation. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 22 points. Those are useful early contributions, although they come from a single game with a changed roster. Milwaukee needs that production to continue without requiring another high-scoring night just to stay close. The Bucks had not submitted their official game injury report in the NBA’s October 22, 4:45 p.m. ET release, so this preview does not assume the entire rotation is cleared.
Bulls vs Bucks Opening-Game Comparison
These figures describe each team’s first game of the 2026-27 season. They are not established season trends.
| Category | Chicago Bulls | Milwaukee Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| Current record | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Relevant road/home record | 0-1 away | 0-0 home |
| Opening opponent | Toronto Raptors | Washington Wizards |
| Points scored | 92 | 116 |
| Points allowed | 135 | 128 |
| Scoring margin | -43 | -12 |
| Combined game score | 227 | 244 |
Scoring Comparison Against the Total
| Scoring Measure | Combined Points |
|---|---|
| Chicago’s opening game | 227 |
| Milwaukee’s opening game | 244 |
| Simple average of those results | 235.5 |
| Betting total used | 238.5 |
| Our projected total | 229 |
The two-game comparison provides context only. Different opponents, shooting results and lineups limit its predictive value.
Where This Game Gets Decided
| Matchup | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Chicago’s ball security against Milwaukee’s defense | Another turnover-heavy performance would give the Bucks easier scoring opportunities. |
| Milwaukee’s interior coverage | The Bucks need fewer defensive breakdowns after allowing 128 points at Washington. |
| Chicago’s perimeter shooting | A substantial rebound from four made threes could change both the spread and total outcomes. |
| Available frontcourt depth | Chicago’s injury report makes rebounding and foul management particularly important. |
Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions
Spread Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -1.5
I’ll lay the small number with Milwaukee. The Bucks produced 116 points in their opener, while Chicago’s offense was undermined by poor shooting and 27 turnovers. Milwaukee does not need to become an excellent defensive team overnight to benefit from a less organized opponent. Herro’s nine assists also give the Bucks an encouraging starting point for creating useful shots. There are reasons to be cautious. Chicago should shoot better than it did at Toronto, and Milwaukee’s defense did little to inspire confidence at Washington. The Bucks’ injury submission also remains outstanding in the report used here. With the available information, I prefer Milwaukee to finish enough possessions to win by more than a point. My projection is Bucks 117, Bulls 112.
Total Pick: Under 238.5
The under is my stronger selection. Chicago needs a considerable offensive improvement, and even Milwaukee repeating its 116-point opener would leave the Bulls needing 123 to push this game over. That can happen against a defense that just allowed 128, but I’m not pricing in an immediate transformation from Chicago. Better ball security could also reduce the easy transition baskets that inflated Toronto’s scoring. The main threats are a sharp Bulls shooting rebound, repeated fouls and Milwaukee failing to defend the paint again. Those concerns keep this from being a comfortable under. I still land at 229 combined points, with enough empty possessions to keep the game below 238.5.
Final Prediction
| Selection | Pick |
|---|---|
| Side | Milwaukee Bucks -1.5 |
| Total | Under 238.5 |
| Projected score | Milwaukee 117, Chicago 112 |
| Stronger preference | Under 238.5 |
Final Picks: Milwaukee Bucks -1.5 and Under 238.5.
Completed October 22, 2026. Betting lines, injury designations, starting lineups and other game information may change. Opening-game statistics represent a one-game sample. Availability information reflects the NBA’s October 22, 4:45 p.m. ET report; Milwaukee’s submission was pending.