The Orlando Magic (27-32) welcome the Chicago Bulls (14-44) to Amway Center. The Magic are an 8-point favorite and will attempt to extend their five-game winning streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 217 points and it will air on WGN Channel 9 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 22, 2019.
Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic Betting Odds
Both teams comfortably covered as favorites in their last contest. The Magic (4-point favorites) defeated the Charlotte Hornets 127-89, while the Bulls (1.5-point favorites) beat the Memphis Grizzlies 122-110. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Orlando game finished 1 point over the projected point total of 215, while the Chicago game finished 24.5 points over the projected point total of 207.5.
Chicago played a nearly perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.7 (above their season average of 18.3) and a free throw rate of 0.300 (above their season average of 0.180). Memphis was 11.6 and 0.146, respectively, for those same stats. The Magic, on the other hand, had an extraordinary effective field goal percentage of 0.614 (above their season average of 0.511) and had a turnover percentage of 6.5 (better than their season average of 11.8). Nikola Vucevic played a key role for Orlando with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Chicago received a boost from Otto Porter Jr., who recorded 37 points and 10 rebounds.
The Magic lead the season series two games to one. The two teams combined to put up 196 points in their most recent game, which was just under the projected point total of 199.5. Orlando won 112-84, covering as a 1-point favorite. Orlando’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Chicago. The Magic had a rate of 0.171, while the Bulls posted a mark of 0.058. Vucevic put up a double-double in the victory with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Oddsmakers have a tendency to place the total high when the Bulls are involved, as 33 of their 58 games have gone under the projected point total. Chicago comes into the game with records of 14-44 straight up (SU) and 25-31-2 against the spread (ATS).
A little over half of Magic games have also finished under the total. Further, Orlando is 27-32 SU and 31-25-3 ATS.
The Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 26 points,13.0 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Jonathan Isaac has averaged 15 points,5.2 rebounds,3.0 blocks during that same time frame for the Magic.
Half-court execution will be critical when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams square off. Orlando ranks 27th in possessions per game (100.3) and Chicago is 22nd (101.1). Also, second chance points could be few and far between for the Bulls. They rank 30th in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage at 18.4 percent, while the Magic are fifth-best on the defensive glass (defensive rebounding percentage of 79.0 percent).
Bulls at Magic ATS Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Magic, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Magic rank 18th in rebounds allowed per game (45.3) while the Bulls rank 25th (46.5).
- Orlando ranks fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while Chicago ranks 22nd (5.4).
- The Magic rank first in second chance points allowed per game (11.0) while the Bulls rank 13th (13.3).
- Chicago ranks 16th in steals per game (7.6) while Orlando ranks 27th (6.6).
- Chicago ranks 19th in fast break points per game (11.6) while Orlando ranks 27th (9.9).
- The Magic rank 12th in assists per game (24.9) while the Bulls rank 27th (22.0).
- The Bulls rank 18th in points in the paint per game (48.1) while the Magic rank 29th (42.6).
- Orlando ranks 24th in points off turnovers per game (15.1) while Chicago ranks 25th (15.1).
- Orlando ranks 14th in three pointers attempted per game (31.6) while Chicago ranks 27th (26.6).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Chicago is 8-5 and Orlando is 12-3.
- When scoring over 100 points, the Magic are 23-15 and the Bulls are 10-26.
- Orlando is 14-14-1 ATS at home, while Chicago is 14-13-2 ATS on the road.
- Of the Bulls’ 29 road games, they have 15 unders and 14 overs.
- Of the Magic’s 29 home games, they have 15 overs and 14 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Magic are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Bulls are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Orlando has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Chicago has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 118.8 points per game (13.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 96.0 points per game (10.9 below their season average).
- The Bulls have outscored opponents by an average of 0.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Chicago has lost by an average of 8.4 points.
