Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs continue on Monday and I will have a free pick in the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls, which will take place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The game has a start time of 8:00 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on TNT. Current Vegas betting odds have the Bulls listed as 7.5 point favorites, while the total is set at 188. 

Analysis: The Bucks did not begin their playoffs on a high note as the took a tough loss at Chicago in game in a game that was higher scoring than many thought it would be. The Bucks are now 18-24 on the road for the year after their game 1 loss to the Bulls. Milwaukee has gone 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game, but just 1-6 ATS the last 7 games in the seriesThe Bucks have not been a good offensive team this year, ranking 22nd in scoring (97.8 ppg), 7th in shooting, 7th in 3 point shooting and 12th in FT shooting. Defensively the Bucks have been solid this year, ranking 8th in points allowed (97.4 ppg), 5th in defensive FG% and 8th in 3 point defense. 

The Bulls led the Central Division for much of the year, but they have battled injuries all year and finally succumbed to the Cleveland Cavaliers, which many felt would happen. The Bulls are playing much better right now and took the first game in the series by a score of 103-91. After their game 1 win the Bulls are now 28-14 at home on the year. Chicago has gone 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, but just 8-17 ATS in their last 25 games following a ATS win. The Bulls have been an average offensive team this year, ranking 15th in scoring (100.8 ppg), 22nd in shooting, 10th in 3 point shooting and 3rd in FT shooting. Defensively the Bulls have been solid, ranking 9th in points allowed (97.8 ppg), 4th in defensive FG% and 3rd in 3 point defense.

Pick: The first game in this series way very uptempo and still the game went over the total by just 8 points as 194 were scored in the game. This one should be much lower scoring and much like the regular season, which saw just 176.8 ppg being scored. These teams have been solid defensive teams this year and I expect more defense than they showed in game 1, while the offenses should pay at a slower pace. I see this one played in the lower 180s. 

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