Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic Predictions, NBA Expert Picks 3/12/2020

Game: Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020

Location: Amway Center in Orlando, FL

TV: Fox Sports Florida

Odds/Point Spread: Orlando -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 214.5

Nikola Vucevic and the Orlando Magic (30-35, 2nd in the Southeast Division) play the Chicago Bulls (22-43, 3rd in the Central Division) at Amway Center on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Orlando opens this game as 6.5 point favorites. The O/U opens at 214.5.

The Bulls cover the spread 45.3% of the time, having gone 29-35-1 ATS. Orlando is covering 49.2% of the time, going 31-32-2 against the spread.

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

03/10/20 PG Zach LaVine Quad is out Thursday vs Orlando
03/10/20 PG Ryan Arcidiacono Achilles is questionable Thursday vs Orlando
02/27/20 PF Luke Kornet Ankle is out 6-8 weeks
02/21/20 SF Chandler Hutchison Shoulder is out for season
02/04/20 PG Kris Dunn Knee is out indefinitely

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

03/06/20 SG Evan Fournier Elbow is out indefinitely
01/10/20 SF Al-Farouq Aminu Knee is out for season
01/02/20 PF Jonathan Isaac Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Coby White comes into this contest averaging 13.2 points per game while playing 25.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 79%. Thaddeus Young averages 10.3 points per game in 24.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 4.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 58%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic averages 19.5 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 11.0 rebounds per game and has 3.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. Aaron Gordon averages 14.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.6 rebounds per contest and 3.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 106.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 23rd in the league. They average 41.9 rebounds per game and 23.2 assists per game, which ranks them 29th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 5th with 15.5 per game. The Bulls allow 109.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 27th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.5 rebounds a game which ranks 19th and they give up 25.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 18.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 27th in the league with 106.4 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -1.0. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 44.5 boards per game, and 17th in assists per contest with 24.0. The Magic are 29th in turnovers per game with 12.6. The Magic surrender 107.3 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest and 15th with 45.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.7, and their defensive rating of 109.8 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 24th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league. Chicago is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 4th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando is 28th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 13th in the NBA. The Magic are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 109, and their offensive rating of 108 is ranked 9th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago +6.5

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