Bucks vs. Bulls NBA Game 3 odds, props: Giannis Antetokounmpo set over-under 34.5 points, Jrue Holiday 21.5 points with Khris Middleton out
The Bucks begin life without Khris Middleton tonight in Chicago.
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Many around the NBA expected the Milwaukee Bucks to sweep the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs because the Bucks so thoroughly dominated their southern neighbors during the regular season, but the series is tied 1-1 as it shifts to Chicago for Game 3 tonight. Milwaukee begins life without All-Star guard Khris Middleton, and with the expected heavier scoring load on Giannis Antetokounmpo he is given a season-high over/under points total of 34.5 at Caesars Sportsbook. Jrue Holiday is at 21.5 points. Click here for model picks.
The Bucks were 7-9 without Middleton this season, although one of those was a meaningless regular-season loss in Cleveland when Milwaukee rested all its key guys. This season, the splits are actually a bit backward. The Greek Freak had a usage percentage of 35 in the 58 games he played with Middleton and averaged 30.4 points. In the nine games Giannis played without Middleton, that usage was 34.9 percent and the Freak's scoring dropped to 26.6 ppg. One would have though the opposite. The last time Giannis scored more than 34 points was March 31 in Brooklyn when he had 44.
Holiday could be the major beneficiary going forward. In 55 games with Middleton this season, Holiday's usage was 22.5 percent and he averaged 18.2 points. In 12 games without Middleton, Holiday's usage was 29.8 percent and his scoring was 18.7 points. The last time Holiday scored more than 21 points was April 7 vs. Boston when he had 29.
There were five games this season when both Holiday and Antetokounmpo were available and Middleton was not. Milwaukee was 3-2 in them, including a 28-point home win over the Bulls in March when Holiday led the team with 27 points and Giannis had 25.
Middleton has an MCL sprain and won't even be reevaluated for two weeks, meaning he probably misses the next round against either Boston or Brooklyn should the defending champs advance. Milwaukee is now a third favorite to win the East at +350 behind the Celtics (+210) and Heat (+300).
The Bucks have won 11 of their last 12 games against the Bulls at the United Center, including 2-0 this season.
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