Chicago Bulls vs. Orlando Magic - 12/23/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic

Date: Monday, December 23, 2019

Location: Amway Center in Orlando, FL

TV: Fox Sports Florida

Odds/Point Spread: Orlando -5

Total/Over-Under: 209.5

Evan Fournier and the Orlando Magic (12-17, 2nd in the Southeast Division) play the Chicago Bulls (12-19, 3rd in the Central Division) at Amway Center on Monday, December 23, 2019. The odds on this game have Orlando as 5 point favorites. The total opens at 209.5.

The Bulls are covering the spread 54.8% of the time, having gone 17-14-0 ATS. Orlando is covering 40.7% of the time, going 11-16-2 against the spread.

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/20/2019 Chandler Hutchison SF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
12/15/2019 Jr SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Jan 15

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/20/2019 Michael Carter-Williams PG Shoulder Game Time Decision
12/1/2019 Al-Farouq Aminu PF Knee Expected to be out until at least Feb 1

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen comes into this contest averaging 14.8 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 82%. Zach Lavine averages 23.5 points per game in 33.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.9 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Evan Fournier averages 19.6 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.7 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Jonathan Isaac averages 12.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.0 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 106.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.4 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 43.6 rebounds per game and 23.2 assists per game, which ranks them 22nd and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 15.7 per game. The Bulls allow 107.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.5 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 24.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 18.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 29th in the league with 103.5 points per game this year. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -1.8. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They are 19th in the league in rebounding with 44.4 boards per game, and 22nd in assists per contest with 22.7. The Magic are 29th in turnovers per game with 13.0. The Magic surrender 105.3 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 12th with 23.7 assists allowed per contest and 16th with 45.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic are 11th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.5, and their defensive rating of 105.8 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league. Chicago is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 16th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando is 29th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Magic are 25th in the league in defensive rating with 107.6, and their offensive rating of 105.8 is ranked 12th. They are 27th in the NBA in pace with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 28th. As a unit they are 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago +5

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