Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 12/21/2018

Friday, December 21, 2018

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Orlando Magic travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Friday, December 21, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Orlando as 3.5 point favorites.

The Magic head into this matchup with a mark of 14-16. They are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They have a point differential of -3.9 as they average 103.5 points per contest while giving up 107.4 per game. The Bulls have an overall mark of 7-25. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They total 100.9 points per contest and give up 111.5, which is a point differential of -10.6.

Valuable Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 16-11-2 against the spread

The Orlando Magic are 10-19-0 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 14-16-1 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 10-21-0 against the over/under

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/19/18 SF Jonathon Simmons Ankle left last game, is questionable Friday vs Chicago
12/19/18 C Nikola Vucevic Personal is questionable Friday vs Chicago

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/19/18 F Jabari Parker Illness is questionable Friday vs Orlando
12/15/18 PG Zach LaVine Ankle is out indefinitely
10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic comes into this contest averaging 20.6 points per game while playing 30.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 11.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 54% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 84%. Aaron Gordon averages 15.6 points per game in 32.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.1 assists per contest and 7.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 68%.

Player Spotlight

Justin Holiday averages 12.1 points per game while playing 35.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Lauri Markkanen averages 14.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.1 rebounds per contest and 0.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando averages 103.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.9 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 42.2 rebounds per game and 25.1 assists per game, which ranks them 25th and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.2 per game. The Magic allow 107.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.0 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd and they give up 23.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 30th in the league with 100.9 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -10.6. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 26th in the league in rebounding with 41.2 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 21.5. The Bulls are 5th in turnovers per game with 15.3. The Bulls surrender 111.5 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 19th in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 24.8 assists allowed per contest and 30th with 48.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls were 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Magic are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 109.8, and their offensive rating of 105.8 is ranked 15th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 97.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Orlando is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 12th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 4th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 11th in the NBA. The Bulls are 30th in the league in defensive rating with 111.1, and their offensive rating of 100.5 is ranked 18th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 99.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Orlando -3.5

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