The Chicago Bulls (24-38) travel to face off against the Orlando Magic (29-34) on Thursday, March 6th. This game will be played at Kia Center in Orlando and televised on FDSF. Both the Bulls and Magic will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Bulls vs Magic

The Bulls Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Bulls fell to 24-38 on the season after a 139-117 loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday. Chicago, who were +13.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread, losing by 22 points. The total score of 256 points went over the O/U line of 241.5 by 14.5 points.

Chicago started strong, going on a 10-0 run early in the game. However, after leading 41-24, the Bulls couldn’t maintain their momentum. They were outscored 33-29 in the 2nd quarter and 39-36 in the 3rd. Heading into the 4th quarter down 96-94, the Bulls struggled, scoring just 23 points while allowing 43.

The Magic Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Magic dropped to 29-34 on the season after a 114-113 home loss to the Raptors on Tuesday. Orlando, favored by 6.5 points, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 227, surpassing the O/U line of 206 by 21 points.

After a 22-22 tie in the 1st quarter, Orlando took a 54-49 lead into halftime. However, the Raptors outscored them 31-19 in the 3rd quarter. Despite a strong 4th quarter where they put up 40 points to Toronto’s 34, the Magic couldn’t complete the comeback.

Bulls Offense Breakdown

In their 139-117 loss to the Cavaliers, the Bulls struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 25% of their threes, making 11 in total. Their overall field goal percentage was 44.3%, and Coby White led the team with 25 points and 7 assists, despite shooting 39.1% from the field and 25% from three.

Talen Horton-Tucker contributed 22 points, hitting 3 threes at 50%, while Zach Collins added 20 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 62.5%. White scored 13 of his points in the 3rd quarter, while Collins had 8 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters.

Magic Offense Breakdown

Paolo Banchero’s 22-point fourth quarter highlighted the Magic’s offensive effort in their 114-113 loss to the Raptors, as he finished with 41 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds, shooting 70% from the field and 80% from three. Franz Wagner added 12 of his 28 points in the final period.

Orlando connected on 15 threes at a 41.7% rate, with an overall field goal percentage of 48.2%. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Tristan da Silva each contributed 12 points, with da Silva scoring 6 in the second quarter.

Bulls Team Defense

The Bulls started strong defensively, allowing just 24 points in the 1st quarter, but they struggled the rest of the way, giving up 33 points in the 2nd, 39 in the 3rd, and 43 in the 4th, leading to a 139-117 loss to the Cavaliers. Chicago allowed Cleveland to shoot 46% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Bulls gave up 17 threes on 35% shooting. They also sent the Cavaliers to the line 33 times, where Cleveland converted 30 free throws. Chicago finished with 40 defensive rebounds, allowing 11 offensive boards, while adding 6 steals and 6 blocks.

Magic Team Defense

The Bulls’ defense started strong but faded as the game went on, giving up 139 points to the Cavaliers. Chicago allowed 24 points in the 1st quarter but then gave up 33 in the 2nd, 39 in the 3rd, and 43 in the 4th.

Overall, the Bulls allowed Cleveland to shoot 46% from the field and 35% from three, with the Cavaliers hitting 17 threes. Chicago also sent Cleveland to the line 33 times, where they made 30 free throws. The Bulls finished with 40 defensive rebounds, 6 steals, and 6 blocks.

Bulls vs Magic Trends

• When looking at their past three road matchups, Chicago has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 121 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• Across their five previous home games, Orlando has an ATS mark of 2-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-3 while averaging 106 points per game.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Bulls have a straight up record of 1-9. Their record vs the spread in these games was 4-6.
• Through their last five games as the favorite, the Magic have an ATS record of 3-2 and a straight up mark of 3-2.

Bulls vs Magic Prediction

The Bulls come in as the underdog at +7, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 219 and given that our model is projecting 235 points between the teams, we like the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.