Bulls vs Magic | Prediction & Pick

NBA Free Pick – Friday March 4, 2011

vs.

Chicago Bulls (41-18) vs Orlando Magic (39-22)
Friday, March 4, 2011 at 7:00 pm EST on ESPN

Last meeting: Chicago won 99-90 at the end of January at home

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The Bulls lost to Atlanta earlier in the week but this team has been playing great for the last few months and have really distanced themselves from the middle in the Eastern Conference. Point guard Derrick Rose is a bonafide MVP candidate and they are finally whole again with the return from injury of centre Joakim Noah. This is a big game to help determine who are the real contenders for the Eastern Conference title and the Bulls, even though they are on the road, will have been resting a bit while the Magic played an emotional game against the Heat last night. The Bulls will look to blitz what could easily be a worn out Orlando team.

It is hard to say what we will see from the Orlando Magic tonight. Last night they played a superb second half to come back from 18 down to beat the Miami Heat on the road. Amazingly they held the Heat to just 33 points in the second half which was as many as they gave up in the 2nd quarter alone. It takes an awful lot of energy and focus to come back and play defense like that and now they have to come home and face a fresh and very talented Bulls team. For the season the Magic have been 9-6 SU but just 6-9 ATS playing with 0 days rest. Dwight Howard may be young and spry but he played 7 more minutes than normal last night and might have trouble running with the indefatigable Noah.

The current line on this one is Orlando -2.5. Since I like the Bulls to upset I say take it sooner rather than later.

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Prediction: Look for the Bulls to take advantage of the more tired Magic squad and grab a close victory on the road. These guys could have some fantastic playoff battles.

Score: Chicago 97 – Orlando 94

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Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

• Bulls are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.
• Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southeast.

Orlando Magic Betting Trends

• Magic are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Magic are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5.
• Magic are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 0 days rest.