The Orlando Magic (14-16), 3.5-point favorites, will travel to the United Center to meet the Chicago Bulls (7-25). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 204.5 points and it will air on NBC Sports Chicago at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 21, 2018.
Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls ATS Odds
Both teams did not cover as underdogs in their last contest. The Magic (3-point underdogs) were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs, 129-90, while the Bulls (1.5-point underdogs) fell to the Brooklyn Nets, 96-93. The Orlando game went 9.5 points over the projected point total of 209.5, while the Chicago game went 23 points under the projected point total of 212.
Orlando held San Antonio to an offensive rebounding percentage of 15.4 (below their season average of 22.4) while Chicago had a turnover percentage of 7.7 (better than their season average of 14.1). Bobby Portis led the way for Chicago, contributing 16 points and 11 rebounds. Aaron Gordon, meanwhile fueled Orlando with 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
In their first matchup this season, Nikola Vucevic led the Magic to a 97-91 win. He registered a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 188 points, which was well under the projected point total of 212, and Orlando covered as a 6-point favorite. Orlando out-rebounded Chicago. The Magic had nine offensive rebounds and 43 total rebounds, while the Bulls had one and 33, respectively.
Vegas tends to place the total high when the Magic are involved, as 19 of their 30 games have gone under the O/U total. Orlando heads into the contest with records of 14-16 straight up (SU) and 16-12-2 against the spread (ATS).
Bulls games also have a tendency to go under the projected point total (68.8 percent). Moreover, Chicago owns records of 7-25 SU and 14-17-1 ATS.
Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls Odds Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Bulls rank 23 in points in the paint per game (45.4375) while the Magic rank 29 (41.266666666666666).
- Orlando ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while Chicago ranks 25th (8.5).
- The Magic rank 14th in three pointers attempted per game (31.6) while the Bulls rank 25th (28.1).
- Orlando ranks 22nd in second chance points per game (12.6) while Chicago ranks last (9.4).
- Chicago ranks 18 in fast break points per game (11.46875) while Orlando ranks 25 (10.133333333333333).
- The Magic rank 10th in blocks per game (5.5) while the Bulls rank 27th in blocks allowed per game (6.2).
- The Magic rank 22 in rebounds allowed per game (45.96666666666667) while the Bulls rank last (48.625).
- Orlando ranks 22 in points off turnovers per game (15.833333333333334) while Chicago ranks 24 in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.03125).
- Orlando ranks eighth in assists per game (25.1) while Chicago ranks 25th (21.5).
- When holding opponents below 100 points, Chicago is 3-4 and Orlando is 6-1.
- When scoring more than 100 points, the Magic are 10-6 and the Bulls are 4-11.
- Chicago is 8-8 ATS at home, while Orlando is 10-3-2 ATS on the road.
- In 15 road games, the Magic have 10 unders and 5 overs.
- Of the Bulls’ 16 home games, they have 12 unders and 4 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Orlando and Chicago are both 1-3-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Magic’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 14.6, up from 3.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 93.4 points per game (7.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.0 points per game (8.5 below their season average).
