CHICAGO +4 over Orlando
The Orlando Magic attempt to continue their dominance over the Chicago Bulls when they conclude their season series at the United Center tonight. The Magic have won 15 of their last 17 contests against the Bulls, including the last two meetings since Chicago's 107-87 triumph here on December 10. The Magic have won five of six, including a 102-76 rout of Cleveland on the road yesterday. As for the Bulls, they have lost back-to-back contests and five of seven as they fell at Washington, 101-93, on Saturday.
The Magic have done a masterful job of turning their season around following their trade with Memphis, as they have now climbed back to the .500 mark. Playing without rest off their big road win yesterday, this has all the markings off a let-down game. Orlando is an ugly 1-10 ATS on the road off a road win in which they hit more than 50% of their FG's. On the road following a win of 20 or more points, they are just 1-6-1 ATS, while the Bulls are 4-0 ATS vs. such opponents. The Magic have not done well in Monday road games, going 2-7 ATS, including 0-5 as a favorite, while the Bulls are 6-0 ATS in their last half dozen Monday home tilts.
At home off a road loss, Chicago has gone 6-2 ATS, while Orlando is just 1-5 ATS in the opposing role. The Bulls are also a very strong 10-2 ATS when hosting an opponent coming in without rest off another road game. We do expect this one to be tight all the way with a late comeback on the part of Orlando falling just short.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: CHICAGO 101 ORLANDO 99