NBA Handicapping Predictions – Bulls vs Magic
The Magic are coming off a tough loss to the Miami Heat where they only scored 81 points and tonight face a Bulls’ team that has the league’s 2nd ranked defense.
Venue/ Stadium: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Time/Date: 8 PM EST Monday, March 19, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Magic -1
Over/Under: 184
Chicago Bulls vs. Orlando Magic Preview
At least the Magic can get back to business knowing that Dwight Howard will be with the team for the rest of the season since the trade deadline has passed.
In their last games the Magic lost to the Miami Heat 91-81 while the Bulls beat the Philadelphia 76ers 89-80.
This season the Bulls are 28-19 ATS with an O/U record of 25-21-1 and the Magic are at 25-21 ATS with an O/U record of 21-23-2.
Reigning MVP Derrick Rose is doubtful for this game, but this season the Bulls are 9-4 without him in the lineup and his replacement C.J. Watson scored 20 points in the win over the 76ers.
Dwight Howard had a monster game earlier this month in a win over the Bulls and C Joakim Noah will need help from the other frontcourt players, especially Carlos Boozer, so Superman does not dominate the paint.
The Magic must play better D than they did in the loss to Miami where they allowed the Heat to shoot 45.9% from the floor. Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy said it best after the game stating, “Our effort defensively early in the game was not there.” The Bulls are not only legit on D, but they are a very deep team that ranks 7th in the league in scoring. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Magic have won 3 straight home games against the Bulls and in his last 4 games facing Chicago Howard is averaging 29.3 ppg and 14.5 rpg. Ryan Anderson must help Howard out on offense and Jason Richardson and J.J Reddick must hit their open J’s and knock down some 3’s.
The Magic will have to play good all around D facing a Bulls’ team that has 6 players averaging in double figures. It is vital that the Magic play good defense, as they will not be able to rely on their offense, which ranks 21st in the league in scoring, to win this home game.
In some betting trends for this Eastern Conference match up the Bulls are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games, 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 games.
The Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record, and they have an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
Jason’s Pick: Even without Rose I have to take the Bulls in this game, as they are coming off a solid win and they know how to win on the road.
