Free NBA Picks and Odds: Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic on ESPN Expert Predictions – NBA Betting Preview 3/4/11: MVP Candidate Derrick Rose will lead the Chicago Bulls on the road to the Amway Center to take on another leading MVP Candidate Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic on Friday night at 7:00 PM ET in an Eastern Conference matchup of 2 of the best teams on ESPN. The Bulls lost their last outing but have won 7 of 10 and are 1st in the Central and 3rd overall in the East just 3 games back of Boston at 41-18 and just 1 game back of the Heat for the 2 seed. The Magic have won 4 in a row and at 40-22 sit 2nd in the Southeast – 3 ½ games behind the Heat – and 4th overall seed in the Eastern Conference a good place to be if the playoffs started today.
Howard can let up on the talk about his team’s effort as they trailed the Heat by 24 before going on a 40-9 run to eventually win the game Thursday. “To tell you the truth, I didn’t even know we were down that much,” Orlando guard Jameer Nelson said. “I was just playing. I just think that’s what you have to do when you know you can play better and you’re not playing up to your potential. Just get it going somehow, not worry about the score.” The odds makers at SBG GlobalChicago Bulls +1000 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Magic’s most recent victory came 99-96 last evening at the Miami Heat with a big 2nd half comeback to cover and move to 28-32-2 ATS for the season. Jason Richardson led the scoring for the Magic with 24 points while Nelson added points and 7 assists. Howard did his part as well scoring just 14 points but grabbing 18 rebounds and dishing 5 assists. Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 187 1/2 points combined of the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic.
MATCHUP: Chicago (41-18) at Orlando (40-22)
GAME TIME: 7:05 PM EST
TELEVISION: ESPN
Recent Bulls and Magic NBA Betting Odds Trends:
Chicago: CHI are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Under is 11-4 in CHI last 15 vs. NBA Southeast.
Orlando: Under is 10-2 in ORL last 12 overall.
Under is 8-2 in ORL last 10 games as a favorite.
Under is 12-4 in ORL last 16 home games.
Opening Vegas Odds from Las Vegas
Favorite: Orlando -2
Total: O/U 188
* These are the Morning Lines at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas
Rich Fritz’s Bulls and Magic Free NBA Picks 3/4:
Play Orlando -2
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