Looking to extend their winning streak to eight games on Jan. 3, the Chicago Bulls are getting set to take on the Orlando Magic at home at the United Center. Coming off two insane endings in back-to-back games for the Bulls on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, respectively, this team is also looking to continue to solidify their spot atop the Eastern Conference standings ahead of the Brooklyn Nets.
The Bulls topped the Washington Wizards in their last game on Jan. 1 thanks to a game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointer from star shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan. That gave the Bulls the win by the final score of 120-119. DeRozan did literally the same thing to hit a game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointer to beat the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 31.
Following their wins in back-to-back games on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the Bulls head into this meeting with the Magic sporting a record of 24-10. The Bulls will also be looking to improve their home record (currently sitting at 12-4) in this game.
Meanwhile, the Magic come into this game with a record of 7-30 following a loss in overtime to the Boston Celtics on Jan. 2. The Magic are sitting on a five-game losing streak heading into this game and are struggling mightily in the past month.
This meeting with the Bulls on Jan. 3 comes on the back end of back-to-back games for the Magic.
Here’s a look at the betting odds and game prediction as the Bulls get set to take on the Magic on Jan. 3 at the United Center in Chicago, with tip-off time set for 7 p.m. CT.
Chicago Bulls vs. Orlando Magic betting odds
According to WynnBet, the Bulls are a 14-point favorite over the Magic in this game. And the over/under is set at 221 points.
The ESPN matchup predictor gives the Bulls a sizable 82.7 percent chance to beat the Magic.
Chicago Bulls vs. Orlando Magic prediction
This game should be a bit easier for the Bulls to gain control of than their last few. The Bulls get a struggling Magic team that is riding a five-game losing streak and is on the back end of back-to-back games at the UC.
It also helps that the Bulls are likely set to get point guard Lonzo Ball back in the rotation after missing five games due to the league’s health and safety protocol. Lonzo back in the starting unit could make a big difference for the Bulls, especially if point guard Coby White can maintain the effectiveness that he’s found of late.
It’s likely that Coby will get moved to the second unit after filling Lonzo’s void in the starting unit during his time in the health and safety protocol. Coby did great in that role too.
The star duo of DeRozan and center Nikola Vucevic will also be important for the Bulls to nab a very attainable win over the Magic on Jan. 3. Vucevic will get to face his former team for the second time in the last month. And this looks like a prime opportunity for Vucevic to continue his hot streak against his former team.
That’s not to mention the fact that DeRozan and star shooting guard Zach LaVine are each shining in their own right of late. This looks like a game where the Bulls’ big three could really go off, especially if Lonzo is even semi-effective in his return to the rotation.
The Bulls are already sitting on their longest winning streak of the regular season, by a good margin. This looks like a great opportunity to push their winning streak to eight games against the lowly Magic on the night of Jan. 3.