Bulls vs. Bucks: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Chicago Bulls (19-6) will take on the Milwaukee Bucks (10-12) at the Bradley Center in Wisconsin on Saturday night in a battle of two Central division rivals and the current No. 1 and 8 teams in the Eastern Conference standings. 

It will be the first of four meetings between the two teams this season. The Bulls swept the season series 4-0 in 2010-11 on their way to a 60-win season and the league's best record.

Where: Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI

When: Saturday, February 4, 2012, 8:30 PM ET

Watch: FSN-WI or stream live with NBA League Pass

Listen: Milwaukee: WTMJ AM (620 AM), Chicago: WMVP-AM (ESPN 1000)

Betting Line

Bulls -5 over Bucks, according to covers.com. The Bucks return home to Milwaukee after suffering an eight-point loss to the 5-20 Detroit Pistons on Friday, ouch.

Meanwhile the Bulls have won two out of four on their current road trip, beating the Knicks by three in New York on Thursday. Chicago is favored and for good reason, they should claim their 20th win of 2011-12 this weekend in Wisconsin.

Over/Under: 186.5, according to covers.com. This over/under is forgetting the fact that the Bucks played on Friday night and the fact that the Bulls defense is as tough as any in the league.

The Bulls will post some points, but the Bucks wills struggle. This matchup will produce less than 180 points.

Key Injuries

Chicago: John Lucas (day-to-day), groin, according to ESPN.com. Luol Deng (day-to-day), wrist, is a game-time decision according to ESPN.com and other sources. Richard Hamilton (day-to-day), groin, is doubtful according to ESPN.com.

Milwaukee: No significant injuries.

What They're Saying

The Bucks were apparently looking ahead to the Bulls game Saturday night a bit too soon, according to point guard Brandon Jennings via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after Milwaukee's loss to Detroit Friday night:

"

Everybody was looking past this game and looking to Chicago, but we needed to win this one. They're still an NBA team no matter what their record is. Now that we lost, it doesn't get easier tomorrow.

"

Bulls' forward Luol Deng is game-time decision for Saturday against the Bucks, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:

"

Luol Deng will be a game-time decision for the Chicago Bulls when they play the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night...Deng has missed the last seven games with a torn ligament in his left wrist. He has decided to try to avoid surgery...Deng also will warm up prior to Saturday's game. If he can handle the pain, he will try to return.

"

Most Important Player to Watch

On any other night reigning league MVP Derrick Rose would be the most important player to watch, but on Saturday night that title belongs to Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings. 

Jennings has averaged nearly 24 points per game over his last 10 outings with the Bucks and is averaging 5.4 assists per game this season. The Bucks had won three of four before losing in Detroit on Friday, and Jennings is a huge part of that success.

Key Matchup 

Bulls' defense vs. Brandon Jennings: The Bucks have been scoring in the 100s as of late, but that's unlikely to continue against a defensive juggernaut in Chicago, who is allowing less than 89 points per game this season.

Jennings is really Milwaukee's only lethal scorer capable of taking a game over, so the Bulls' defense on him will be critical to determining a winner on Saturday night.

Prediction

A fresher Bulls team that was off on Friday will prove too much for a Bucks team that lacks the scoring threat to keep up with an elite NBA contender. 

Bulls 97, Bucks 82