Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 12/20/2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Orlando Magic travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago as 5 point favorites.

The Magic head into this matchup with a mark of 11-20. They are 4th in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -4.1 as they are averaging 106.1 points per contest while giving up 110.2 per game. The Bulls have an overall mark of 9-20. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 98.8 points per contest and giving up 106.2, which is a point differential of -7.4.

Valuable Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 13-18-0 against the spread

The Orlando Magic are 16-15-0 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 16-11-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 14-15-0 against the over/under

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/19/17 F Aaron Gordon Calf is "?" Wednesday vs Chicago
12/17/17 G Arron Afflalo Back is "?" Wednesday vs Chicago
12/14/17 G Evan Fournier Ankle is out indefinitely
11/30/17 G Terrence Ross Knee is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

10/12/17 PG Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Aaron Gordon comes into this contest averaging 18.3 points per game while playing 33.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Magic. He pulls down 8 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 74%. Nikola Vucevic averages 17.7 points per game in 30.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.4 assists per contest and 9.6 rebounds per game for Orlando. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 14.5 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 8 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage currently is at 84%. Kris Dunn averages 13.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.7 rebounds per contest and 5.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 64%.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando averages 106.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -4.16 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 11th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 42 rebounds per game and 23.7 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 13th with 15.1 per game. The Magic allow 110.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 24th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.2 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 24.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 28th in the league with 98.8 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -7.34. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 44.6 boards per game, and 16th in assists per contest with 22.4. The Bulls are 23rd in turnovers per game with 14. The Bulls surrender 106.2 points per contest, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 20th and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest and 26th with 46 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Magic are 19th in the league in defensive rating with 109.9, and their offensive rating of 105.8 is ranked 7th. They are 7th in the NBA in pace with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 9th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA. Orlando is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 13th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 23rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 101, and their defensive rating of 108.5 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 29th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 17th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Magic/Bulls NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago -5

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