NBA Playoffs: Chicago Bulls Favored To Win Game 2 Against Milwaukee Bucks

Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls came into the NBA playoffs uncertain what to expect from former MVP Derrick Rose. The veteran point guard underwent knee surgery and missed 20 of the final 25 games of the regular season. Rose had a minutes restriction toward the end of the season and many had no idea whether he’d get back to form for the Bulls during the postseason.

Fortunately, even though Rose hasn’t turned back the clock to his MVP form, the 26-year-old has played well since returning. In Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks, All-Star Jimmy Butler led the way offensively with a game-high 25 points. Not far behind Butler was Rose with 23 points of his own going 9-for-16 from the floor on Saturday night.

Although Pau Gasol struggled in his first playoff game with the Bulls finishing with only 10 points on 5-of-17 shooting, Rose helped pick up the slack and as a result Chicago beat Milwaukee with relative ease, 103-91.

On Monday night, Rose and the Bulls will get back to work hosting the Bucks at the United Center. As expected, Chicago is favored once again with a point spread of -8, according to Sportsbook.ag.

If Rose can continue to play at a high level and the Bulls get a repeat performance from Butler along with a bounce-back performance from Gasol, Chicago should cruise to victory once again. The Bulls should be sporting a 2-0 series record on Tuesday as they prepare to go on the road to face Jason Kidd’s Bucks in Milwaukee.