The NBA playoffs finally begin this weekend.
The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks have a first-round match-up with one of the East’s surprises this year, the Chicago Bulls.
At 51-31, the Bucks finished third in the Eastern Conference despite lots of missed games to their core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton, as well as a back injury to center Brook Lopez.
The Bulls, after a hot start, cooled down to finish 46-36, though they dealt with their share of injuries as well. Guard Lonzo Ball missed the majority of the season and has been ruled out for the playoffs. Another guard, Alex Caruso, missed time as well after an injury caused by the Bucks’ Grayson Allen.
LATEST NBA NEWS: 5 Bold Predictions Ahead Of 2022 NBA Playoffs
It’s hard to know what to expect from the Bulls, who went 26-10 to start the year but stumbled to the finish, going just 20-26 after. Will we see the Chicago that showed up in those first 36 games, or will the Bulls struggle against the Bucks as they have all season (Bucks swept the season series 4-0).
Let’s look at some predictions heading into this enticing first-round match-up.
