Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 1/2/2019

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Orlando Magic head to United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. The opening line for this game has Chicago as 1.5 point favorites.

The Magic have a record of 16-20. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They have a point differential of -4.1 as they average 103.4 points per game while giving up 107.5 per contest. The Bulls have an overall record of 10-27 this season. They are 4th in the Central Division. They average 100.4 points per game and surrender 109.3, good for a point differential of -8.9.

Valuable Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 18-16-2 against the spread this season

The Orlando Magic are 15-21-0 against the over/under this year

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 18-18-1 against the spread this season

The Chicago Bulls are 12-25-0 against the over/under this year

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/31/18 PG D.J. Augustin Ankle is questionable Wednesday vs Chicago
01/01/19 SF Jonathon Simmons Ankle is downgraded to doubtful Wednesday vs Chicago
01/01/19 C Nikola Vucevic Calf injured last game, is questionable Wednesday vs Chicago

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/20/18 F Bobby Portis Ankle is out indefinitely
10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic comes into this game averaging 20.3 points per contest while playing 31.1 minutes per night this year. He grabs 11.9 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 53% while his free throw percentage is 79%. Aaron Gordon averages 15.3 points per contest in 33.1 minutes per game. He averages 3.2 assists per game and 7.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Player Spotlight

Justin Holiday scores 11.8 points per contest while playing 35.1 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.5 rebounds per contest and has 2.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is at 89%. Lauri Markkanen averages 17.2 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 30.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.5 rebounds per game and has 1.1 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando averages 103.4 points per contest, which is 27th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -4.1 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 25th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They average 43.0 boards per contest and 24.4 assists per game, which ranks them 25th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 24th with 13.2 per game. The Magic allow 107.5 points per contest, which is 9th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 28th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.9 rebounds a game which ranks 21st, and they allow 23.4 assists per game which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 30th in the NBA with 100.4 points per contest this season. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -8.92. They shoot 34% from beyond the arc, which is good for 24th in the league. They are 27th in the NBA in rebounding with 41.8 boards per contest and 26th in assists per game with 21.5. The Bulls are 7th in turnovers per contest with 14.7. The Bulls give up 109.3 points per game, which ranks them 13th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 11th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 24.0 dimes allowed per game and 28th with 48.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Bulls are 15th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Magic are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 110.1, and their offensive rating of 105.9 is ranked 17th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 24th. 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 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 5th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 101.2, and their defensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 18th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 98.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Orlando +1.5

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