Our Bulls vs. Bucks prediction looks at a Friday matinee between two rebuilt rosters that both lost their season openers on Wednesday. Milwaukee is a 1-point home favorite in its first game at Fiserv Forum, and the total sits at 239.5. Chicago is coming off a 43-point loss in Toronto, while the Bucks let a halftime lead slip in Washington. Below, we break down availability, pace and the market before landing on two picks.
Last Updated: October 23, 2026
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks — Time and How to Watch
| Where | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee Wisconsin |
| When | October 23 – 4:00 PM ET |
| TV | CHSN (Chicago), MY24 (Milwaukee) |
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
Availability comes first, and it tilts slightly against Chicago. The official NBA injury report lists Nic Claxton out with a left hamstring strain. Jordan Hawkins and Dailyn Swain are questionable with a gastrointestinal illness, and both missed the opener. Josh Giddey is probable while managing a left wrist sprain. Milwaukee has no one listed. Any late scratch from the Bulls’ questionable pair makes this read provisional, so check the final report before tip-off.
Both teams start 0-1 under new head coaches. Tiago Splitter runs the Bulls, and Taylor Jenkins took over in Milwaukee. The Bucks are in their first season after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami. That deal brought back Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis. Herro scored 24 and Jaquez added 22 in the opener, a 128-116 loss to the Wizards.
Chicago’s rebuild leans young. No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson debuted with 16 points in Toronto, and Matas Buzelis led the team with 17. Norman Powell chipped in 15 as one of the few steady scorers. Milwaukee’s group mixes the Miami haul with veterans such as Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Caris LeVert and Gary Trent Jr. Jenkins said after the opener that his team is still defining its identity. He named protecting the paint and the three-point line as early priorities.
The pace and style edge is what shapes this number. Chicago’s opener ran at roughly 108 possessions. The Bulls attempted 36 threes and 47 free throws on 85 field-goal tries. Milwaukee played closer to 101 possessions, but it put Washington on the line 41 times. Meanwhile, the schedule spot is even. Milwaukee visits Philadelphia on Saturday, and Chicago is also back in action that day, so neither side carries a rest edge.
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulls | +1.0 (-110) | -110 | O 239.5 (-110) |
| Bucks | -1.0 (-110) | -110 | U 239.5 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of October 23, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NBA Odds – Futures – Props
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Bulls | 52% | 48% | Bucks |
See the latest NBA Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Bulls vs. Bucks Prediction — Does a 4-of-36 Night Say Anything About Friday?
Chicago’s opener looked like a disaster on the scoreboard. The Bulls made just 4 of 36 threes in a 135-92 loss in Toronto, and their offensive rating finished below 85. However, one night of three-point shooting is close to random. The habits behind it are what persist. Chicago launched threes on more than 40% of its shots and drew free throws at a rate above 0.55 per field-goal attempt. That profile produces points once the shots start falling. It is also worth noting that both openers finished over their closing totals. The Bulls game produced 227 points despite Chicago’s shooting, and the Bucks game produced 244.
Milwaukee’s side of the matchup points the same way. The Bucks allowed roughly 126 points per 100 possessions on Wednesday. They also sent Washington to the line 41 times, and the Wizards scored 77 points after halftime. In contrast, Milwaukee’s own offense worked at about 114 points per 100. Two defenses still learning new systems, a fast-paced Bulls team and a foul-prone Bucks group make a high possession count likely. At around 105 possessions, each team needs only about 114 points per 100 to clear this number.
The market offers mild support. The number itself has not moved since opening, but the price on the high side has shortened while the low side has eased. That shift is small, but it leans toward the higher-scoring side. Still, the case against is real. The Bulls committed more than two dozen turnovers in Toronto, and wasted trips suppress scoring. Giddey’s wrist and an afternoon tip add uncertainty. If Chicago’s offense is broken rather than cold, this total stalls.
The Pick: Over 239.5 (-110)
Bulls vs. Bucks Prediction — Who Handles a 4 p.m. Tip With Saturday Games Waiting?
With rest equal, the side comes down to health and shot-making. Milwaukee arrives with a clean injury report and a more proven scoring core in Herro, Jaquez, Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma. Chicago could be without two rotation guards, and its frontcourt is thin with Claxton out. The Bucks also play their home opener, and their offense held up for a full half in Washington. Herro’s 24 points there showed he can handle the lead scoring role. Jaquez gave Milwaukee a reliable second option at 22. At a near pick’em price, the healthier roster deserves the slight edge.
Even so, this edge is thin, and we want to be clear about that. Bucks moneyline tickets run 59%, yet the price has not moved off its opening number. That freeze can hint at quieter money on Chicago. We treat it as a caution flag rather than a reason to switch sides, because the sample is small. The Bulls also routed Milwaukee 125-104 in the preseason, though the Bucks rested most regulars that night.
The spread tells a similar story. It has shed a half point since opening, but the price moved the other way. That is a repricing rather than a real move, since the two changes roughly cancel out. Spread tickets are split 52% on Chicago and 48% on Milwaukee. In other words, neither the public nor the market has taken a firm stance on this side.
The Pick: Bucks Moneyline (-110)
Our Final Word on Bulls vs. Bucks
Both picks lean on Chicago’s offense, but they pull in different directions. A cold Bulls night helps the Bucks moneyline and hurts the Over. A hot Bulls night does the opposite. That tension is worth knowing before betting both. Treat them as two separate reads rather than a combined position. For more on Milwaukee’s opener, our Bucks vs. Wizards prediction covered the matchup in detail. The offseason context is in our breakdown of NBA offseason moves that could change the title race.
The Over 239.5 (-110) is our top play. Chicago’s three-point volume and free-throw rate meet a Milwaukee defense that fouled its way through the opener. The Bucks Moneyline (-110) is our second play, backed by a clean Milwaukee injury report against a short-handed Bulls roster.
NBA Bulls vs. Bucks FAQ: October 23, 2026
What time does the Bulls vs. Bucks game start?
The Bulls and Bucks tip off at 4:00 PM ET on Friday, October 23, 2026, which is 3:00 PM local time in Milwaukee. Fans used to evening tips should note the afternoon start, since the game begins well before the usual Friday night window.
What channel is the Bulls vs. Bucks game on?
The game airs on regional television rather than a national network. Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) carries the broadcast in the Bulls’ market, and MY24 carries it in Milwaukee. It is not on a national network. Viewers outside those two markets should check local listings or league broadcast options before the 4:00 PM ET tip.
Where are the Bulls and Bucks playing?
The Bulls and Bucks play at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is Milwaukee’s first home game of the 2026-27 regular season, after the Bucks opened on the road against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. Milwaukee heads to Philadelphia on Saturday, so this is a one-game homestand before the trip.
Is Nic Claxton playing tonight?
No, Nic Claxton is out for the Bulls against the Bucks. The official NBA injury report lists him out with a left hamstring strain. He was already sidelined in the preseason. His absence leaves Chicago thin up front against Myles Turner and Kel’el Ware.
What are the Bulls’ and Bucks’ records this season?
Both teams are 0-1. Chicago lost its opener 135-92 at Toronto, and Milwaukee fell 128-116 at Washington. Both games were played on Wednesday, October 21, so Friday’s winner will pick up its first victory of the season. Both teams sit near the bottom of the early Eastern Conference standings alongside the other winless clubs.
Who won the last regular-season meeting between the Bulls and Bucks?
The Bulls won the last regular-season meeting 120-97 on March 1, 2026. The teams also met in the preseason on October 14, when Chicago won 125-104 at Fiserv Forum while Milwaukee rested most of its regulars. Herro, Turner, Kuzma, Jaquez and Gary Trent Jr. all sat that night, so the result says little about Friday’s matchup.