The Chicago Bulls (19-36) will be at home in United Center when they meet the Orlando Magic (18-37). Chicago opened as a 5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 214 points. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday, February 12, 2018, and it can be seen on Fox SportsNet Florida.
Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls Free Preview
The Magic lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in their last matchup, 111-104. Orlando’s Shelvin Mack had a solid game, putting up 19 points and 10 assists. Milwaukee had a better effective field goal percentage (0.579 vs. 0.494). Orlando, meanwhile, did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (22-26; 84.6 percent).
In the Bulls last game, they were topped by the Washington Wizards, 101-90. With 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Denzel Valentine put together a good performance for Chicago. Washington had a better effective field goal percentage (0.543 vs. 0.481). Chicago, meanwhile, held the Wizards to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.3 (below their season average of 23.3).
Orlando could struggle to create turnovers. Chicago ranks fifth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.0 percent), while Orlando forces the 19th-most turnovers (13.5 percent). Also, the Magic rank 24th in offensive rebounding percentage (20.7 percent), while the Bulls rank third in defensive rebounding percentage (80.9 percent).
Of Orlando’s 55 games, 30 have finished under the O/U total, while 29 of Chicago’s 55 games have finished over the O/U total. Both teams have dreadful straight up (SU) records (18-37 for Orlando; 19-36 for Chicago), but the Bulls have the advantage against the spread (ATS). Chicago is 29-23-3 ATS, while the Magic are 25-29-1.
Both teams have had a player trending in the right direction over their last five games. For the Magic, it’s been Mario Hezonja, who has averaged 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals, while the Bulls have gotten solid contributions from Bobby Portis (10.8 points and 9.2 rebounds).
These two teams have met twice already this season, with the Bulls winning both. In the most recent contest, Valentine recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists and the Bulls defeated the Magic 112-94, covering as 5.5-point favorites. The two teams combined for 206 points, which was just 3.5 points below the projected point total of 209.5 points. Chicago had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (23.7 vs. 12.5). Orlando, meanwhile, did a great job of converting from the free throw line (19-23; 82.6 percent).
Orlando Magic vs. Chicago Bulls Free Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – Magic, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Magic rank 12th in blocks per game (4.9) while the Bulls rank last (3.6).
- Orlando ranks 23rd in second chance points per game (10.7) while Chicago ranks 27th (10.5).
- Orlando averages 23.3 assists per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Chicago ranks 28th in assists allowed per game (25.1).
- Orlando is 15-13-1 ATS on the road with 15 overs and 14 unders.
- Chicago is 14-11-2 ATS at home with 15 unders and 12 overs.
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Chicago is 6-5 and Orlando is 9-3.
- When scoring more than 100 points, the Magic are 18-20 and the Bulls are 17-17.
- The Magic rank 20th in points off turnovers per game (15.6) while the Bulls rank 26th (14.4).
- Orlando ranks seventh in points in the paint per game (47.1) while Chicago ranks 27th (40.5).
- The Bulls average 44.7 rebounds per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Magic rank 28th in rebounds allowed per game (45.4).
- The Magic average 12.8 fast break points per game, which ranks 12th in the league. The Bulls rank 16th in fast break points allowed per game (12.0).
- Orlando ranks eighth in three pointers allowed per game (26.6) while Chicago ranks 27th (31.1).
Betting Trends:
- Chicago is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Orlando is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Bulls average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.4, up from 5.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 105.8 points per game (0.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.2 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
