Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic NBA Picks & Predictions 3/30/2018

Friday, March 30, 2018

Amway Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Amway Center to play the Orlando Magic on Friday, March 30, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Orlando as 5 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 24-50. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -7.1 as they are averaging 103.1 points per game while giving up 110.2 per contest. The Magic have an overall record of 22-52. They currently are 4th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 104.3 points per game and surrendering 109.1, good for a point differential of -4.8.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 37-35-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 40-34-0 against the over/under

Important Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 34-39-1 against the spread

The Orlando Magic are 31-43-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

03/29/18 F Cristiano Felicio Back is downgraded to doubtful Thursday vs Miami
03/29/18 G Denzel Valentine Knee is probable Thursday vs Miami
03/29/18 G Kris Dunn Toe is downgraded to doubtful Thursday vs Miami
03/29/18 F Lauri Markkanen Arm is probable Thursday vs Miami
03/29/18 F Paul Zipser Foot is downgraded to OUT Thursday vs Miami
03/22/18 G Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

11/30/17 G Terrence Ross Knee is out indefinitely
03/28/18 F Jonathan Isaac Foot is "?" Friday vs Chicago
03/24/18 F Jonathon Simmons Wrist is out indefinitely
03/09/18 G Evan Fournier Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Denzel Valentine comes into this contest averaging 10.4 points per game while playing 27.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 5.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 75%. Lauri Markkanen averages 14.9 points per game in 30.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.2 assists per contest and 7.5 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic averages 17.2 points per game while playing 30.1 minutes per contest this year for the Magic. He grabs 9.1 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Aaron Gordon averages 18.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.4 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 103.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.07 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 44.7 rebounds per game and 23.6 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 13.8 per game. The Bulls 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 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 25th and 23rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.7 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 25.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 29th place in the league. They force 13.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 19th in the league with 104.3 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -4.8. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 26th in the league in rebounding with 41.3 boards per game, and 11th in assists per contest with 23.4. The Magic are 11th in turnovers per game with 14.8. The Magic surrender 109.1 points per contest, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 24.4 assists allowed per contest and 26th with 45.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic are 14th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 111.2, and their offensive rating of 104.1 is ranked 6th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 29th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 11th in the NBA. Chicago is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 4th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando is 9th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA. The Magic are 25th in the league in defensive rating with 110.8, and their offensive rating of 105.9 is ranked 9th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 17th. As a unit they are 16th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Orlando -5

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