Bulls vs. Magic Expert Pick and Prediction

Bulls vs. Magic Expert Pick and Prediction January 28, 2023

BULLS VS. MAGIC EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTION JANUARY 28 2023 - The Chicago Bulls (22-26) will take on the Orlando Magic (19-30) on Saturday night. Considering that neither team is in the playoff hunt now, both ball clubs are looking to get back into the win column.

First, we will look at the road team. Following a year in which they made it to the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, the Bulls are not playing with a sense of urgency. And every time it feels as if the team is going to turn things around, Chicago will play at a level that makes you wonder which version of the team we will see on a nightly basis.

For instance, Chicago had won three consecutive games. Unfortunately, they followed up their success with a pair of head-scratching losses to the Indiana Pacers (116-110) and the Hornets (111-96). Given the fact that the Bulls have been inconsistent at best, it will be interesting to see if the team will make a move before the trade deadline in a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, very few people expected Orlando to contend for a playoff berth this season. One of the reasons for the pessimistic mindset is they have missed the playoffs eight times in the past 10 seasons. The best seasons during that stretch occurred in 2018-19 (42-30) and 2019-20 (33-40).

In addition to that, these were the only two years that the team surpassed the 30-won threshold. And with the current record of 19-30, the Magic are on their way to missing the playoffs for a third straight season.

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Bulls vs. Magic Season Trends

When you look at this Bulls squad, they do not do anything particularly well, and the numbers back up that statement.

They are ranked 16th in scoring (114.2 points per contest) and 23rd in offensive efficiency, scoring 113.2 points per 100 possessions.

From a defensive standpoint, the story is not much better. Chicago is ranked 18th in scoring defense (114.6) and they are currently ranked 12th in defensive efficiency, allowing 113.6 points per 100 possessions.

Just like the Bulls, the Magic are not overly impressive in any category, either.

They are ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring (27th – 111.3 points per outing) and they have the sixth-worst offensive rating in the league (111.9 points per 100 possessions).

At the other end of the court, Orlando is allowing 114.5 points per contest, which places them at No. 17 in this category. And their 115.1 points allowed per 100 possessions is the eight-worse mark in the league.

Bulls vs. Magic Head-to-Head, Betting Trends and Pick

Chicago took three of the four meetings between these two teams in 2021-22. However, the Magic escaped with a 108-107 over the Bulls at the United Center back in mid-November.

The Bulls are a 2.5-point favorite in this matchup and they covered the spread 52.1% of the time, while Orlando has covered the spread 60.2% of the time.

The Magic have covered the +2.5 line in seven of the previous 10 contests on their home court, including each of their last three games at the Amway Center.

The Bulls have failed to cover the -2.5 line in 15 of their last 20 road games, including four instances in their last five road games.

Furthermore, the Magic have covered the +2.5 line six times in the team’s last 10 games against Chicago.

Taking these factors into consideration, I am going with the Magic to cover the spread in a matchup of two of the worst teams in the eastern conference.

Bulls vs. Magic Expert Pick and Prediction – January 28, 2023