Chicago Bulls vs Orlando Magic Picks and Predictions October 30th 2024

Bulls vs Magic October 30th 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Orlando Magic (-197) will take on the Chicago Bulls (+165) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Magic are currently favored by 5 points and have a record of 3-1. The over/under line is set at 227.5.

This game will be played at the United Center in Chicago and can be seen on CHSN.

Magic vs. Bulls Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls
• Where: Chicago at United Center
• Date: Wednesday, October 30th
• Betting Odds ORL -5, ORL -197 | CHI +165 O/U 227.5

The Magic Can Win If…

The Magic improved to 3-1 on the season with a 119-115 win over the Pacers on Monday. Playing at home, Orlando was favored by 5.5 points but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 234 exceeded the pre-game line of 224 by 10 points.

Orlando took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Indiana 36-23. However, the Pacers responded in the 3rd, putting up 39 points to Orlando’s 22. The Magic entered the 4th quarter down 98-93 but clamped down defensively, holding the Pacers to just 17 points while scoring 26 of their own to secure the win.

Paolo Banchero’s 50-point performance, shooting 61.5% from the field, powered the Magic to a win over the Pacers, with 19 points in the 1st quarter and another 18 in the 2nd. Jalen Suggs added 25 points, hitting 6 threes at a 46.2% clip.

Orlando connected on 13 threes, shooting 31.7% from deep and 47% overall. Moritz Wagner contributed 9 of his 14 points in the 3rd quarter.

Despite giving up 36 points in the 1st and 39 in the 3rd, the Magic’s defense tightened up when it mattered, allowing just 17 points in the 4th quarter to secure a 119-115 win over the Pacers. Orlando sent Indiana to the line 30 times, where they converted 20 free throws.

The Magic allowed the Pacers to hit 13 threes at a 44% clip. On the boards, Orlando collected 35 defensive rebounds while giving up 15 offensive boards. They also added 7 steals and 6 blocks.

• In their last three games away from home, the Magic have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 107 points per game in these contests.
• The Magic have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 5-0 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.
• Over their last five games, the Magic have an over/under record of 5-0 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Bulls Can Win If…

Chicago evened their record at 2-2 with a 126-123 win over the Grizzlies on Monday. The Bulls, who were +5.5 point underdogs, not only won but also covered the spread. The game’s total of 249 points went over the line of 231.

Memphis went on a 10-0 run early, but the Bulls chipped away at the lead, outscoring the Grizzlies 39-32 in the 3rd quarter and 33-23 in the 4th to complete the comeback.

Paolo Banchero’s 50-point, 13-rebound performance powered the Magic to a win over the Pacers, as he shot 61.5% from the field and added 9 assists. Banchero was dominant early, scoring 19 points in the 1st quarter and 18 more in the 2nd.

Jalen Suggs contributed 25 points, hitting 6 threes at a 46.2% clip. The Magic made 13 threes as a team, shooting 31.7% from beyond the arc, and finished with an overall field goal percentage of 47%.

Even with a shaky defensive performance through the first three quarters, the Bulls managed to tighten up in the 4th, allowing just 23 points to secure the win. Overall, they gave up 123 points on 45% shooting from the Grizzlies.

Chicago did a good job defending the three, holding Memphis to 32% shooting with 14 made threes. The Bulls also sent the Grizzlies to the line just 13 times, where they hit 7 free throws. Chicago finished with 5 steals and 6 blocks.

• Chicago has played well in their previous three home games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 123 points per game while allowing 122. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Chicago has an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 4-6 straight up.
• In their last three games, the Bulls have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Coming in as the underdogs at +5, we have the Bulls as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 227.5, and our model projects the Magic and Bulls to reach a combined total of 262 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

NBA Basketball picks for Today

Orlando Magic’s Rising Star Paolo Banchero Sets Sights on the Chicago Bulls

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero stunned fans and teammates alike with an incredible 50-point game against the Indiana Pacers on Monday, a performance he described as being “in the zone.” Banchero’s scoring explosion, which he likened to a practice session in an open gym, helped the Magic pull off a close 119-115 victory, with the budding NBA star inspiring his teammates along the way. Now, as Orlando heads into a five-game road trip that kicks off against the Chicago Bulls, all eyes will be on Banchero to see if he can sustain that momentum.

“It was just being in the zone,” Banchero said after the game. “Felt like I was in an open gym, back at home, just working on my game. Every shot felt like it was going in, and it’s a good feeling when you’ve got a day like that. Not every game is going to be like that, but I’m glad [Monday] was.”

Team Effort Propels Magic’s Success

Banchero’s stellar performance wasn’t the only highlight for Orlando on Monday. With 13 rebounds and nine assists, he came close to securing his first career triple-double, underscoring his influence as both a playmaker and a scorer. The record-setting night also saw Banchero match a franchise record of 37 points in a half, propelling Orlando to victory and giving the team a boost as they aim to extend their five-game winning streak against the Bulls.

Jalen Suggs, another key contributor, bolstered the Magic with 25 points, including an impressive six three-pointers. Orlando head coach Jamahl Mosley praised Suggs for his determination and defensive prowess, stating, “He guarded, knocked down shots early, and wasn’t afraid of the moment. That’s who this group is.”

With forward Franz Wagner playing limited minutes due to an illness, Suggs stepped up, emphasizing the team’s collaborative approach. “When you get to see legendary things in person,” Suggs said, referencing Banchero’s night, “it’s actually so great.”

Chicago Bulls Riding a High with Record-Setting Three-Point Game

The Bulls enter Wednesday’s matchup with momentum after a thrilling 126-123 comeback victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. Chicago overcame a 20-point deficit and outscored the Grizzlies 33-23 in the fourth quarter, with Desmond Bane’s missed three-pointer in the closing seconds sealing the win. The Bulls’ three-point shooting was the story of the night, as they tied a franchise record with 25 made threes on 53 attempts.

Chicago’s strong outside shooting has been a cornerstone of their offense this season, with multiple players stepping up. Zach LaVine scored 30 points, including five threes, and posted 11 of those points in the crucial fourth quarter. Coby White also contributed with five threes, while center Nikola Vucevic added four from beyond the arc. The team’s unselfish ball movement allowed for high-quality shooting opportunities, with Josh Giddey attributing their success to a balanced, confident approach.

“We have an unselfish group and so many weapons,” Giddey said. “We’re generating really good looks and instilling confidence in everyone to take them.”

Keys to the Matchup: Resilience and Shooting Power

This season, both teams are leveraging youthful energy and emerging stars, setting up an intriguing matchup. For Orlando, a strong defensive strategy will be essential against Chicago’s high-volume three-point shooting. Banchero and Suggs bring intensity on both sides of the floor, with Banchero’s rebounding and playmaking likely helping the Magic control the tempo.

Chicago, meanwhile, has shown grit, coming back from large deficits and hitting key shots in critical moments. Their shooting prowess and ball movement have enabled them to stretch defenses, opening up scoring from multiple positions on the floor. Zach LaVine’s performance under pressure and Josh Giddey’s leadership give the Bulls a balanced scoring threat that could challenge Orlando’s defense.

Lonzo Ball, working back from a knee injury, is also a key part of the Bulls’ vision this season, reinforcing the team’s focus on resilience and adaptability. “It’s a brand-new team, a lot of young guys,” Ball explained. “Sometimes the shots aren’t going to fall, but you just have to stick with it through four quarters.”

Game Outlook and Final Thoughts

Wednesday’s showdown between the Magic and the Bulls promises to be a high-energy contest featuring two teams with young, dynamic rosters. Banchero’s breakout game has set a high bar, with fans eager to see if he can continue his scoring surge and lead Orlando on this road trip. Meanwhile, the Bulls will be looking to continue their three-point shooting success and rely on their tested resilience to secure another victory.

As both teams strive to capitalize on their recent momentum, this game will test Orlando’s defensive capabilities against Chicago’s perimeter strength. It’s shaping up to be an exciting matchup, with plenty of storylines to follow as two of the Eastern Conference’s most promising young teams face off.

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