Orlando Magic vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/1/2022

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL

Where to watch: NBCSCH, BSFL

DraftKings: Bulls -10.5

BetMGM: Bulls -10.5

Caesars: NL

Magic: 11-40 (Last, East)

Bulls: 31-18 (1st, East)

The Chicago Bulls are getting some notable names back into the lineup at the right time, and this upcoming game against the Orlando Magic is a perfect way for them to get back on track on Tuesday at United Center.

The injury bug has been unkind to the Bulls as the calendar turns to February. Chicago is down Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso for an extended period of time, more than likely until the tail end of the regular season. But the Bulls do have Zach LaVine back and he hasn't seemed to miss a beat. LaVine has scored over 20 points in all four games since returning to the lineup from COVID/injury, and had 20 points in the Bulls' 14-point win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

Chicago won for the third time in four games and re-took the top spot in the Eastern Conference despite the loss of Ball and Caruso. And the biggest reason for that is due to DeMar DeRozan, who had 23 points and 10 assists as the All-Star starter continued his torrid tear as an MVP candidate. Nikola Vucevic also chipped in one of his better games of the season with a team-high 24 points (only four missed shots) and 11 rebounds, so he's coming into this game against his former team off a very dominant performance.

"In the past, with some of the games that we lost, we understand that it was because our defense wasn't good enough," Vucevic said. "Even tonight, to start the game they really got going. Once we were able to get stops, we were able to build a little bit of a lead."

The Bulls are going to need to rely on their defense should they want to keep up their pace as the top team in the conference. Losing Ball also means losing their best perimeter defender. Coming in as 10.5-point favorites against the worst team in the East, the Bulls are 13-7 against the spread as a home favorite this season and are 16-8 ATS overall at home. Such a run has pushed Chicago to a 46-46 clip ATS over the past three seasons.

"If we really want to be a really good team and have a deep push at the end of the year, our defense has to be there," Vucevic said. "We've shown we can do it. It's just a matter of doing it every night for 48 minutes."

The Bulls have dominated against non-conference teams this season, going 14-3 against the spread and 13-4 straight up; following consecutive non-conference games, the Bulls find themselves at 5-1 ATS and 25-9 over the past three seasons.

And while the Magic are feeling good with wins in three of their last four, the last coming against the Dallas Mavericks who were on the second leg of a back-to-back, it doesn't seem like the Magic are in a position to keep that roll going. Orlando did defeat the Bulls 114-95 at Amway Center on Jan. 23, but the Bulls didn't have LaVine and only had to withstand DeRozan's 41 points with no other help.

That won't be the case this time around.

The Magic have been a strong group on the road, going 16-12 ATS as a road dog and even 11-7 when the spread is between 6.5 and 12 points. But the consistency hasn't been there; when the Magic cover three of their previous four against the spread, Orlando is 0-6 ATS and is 6-16 straight up following a home game.

Chicago is out for revenge and with LaVine back in the fold, this should be a cakewalk for the home team. Bulls by 18

The Magic are 5-0 ATS in their last five road games against a team with a home winning percentage above .600.

The under is 6-0 in the Magic's last six against winning teams.

The Bulls are 1-6 ATS in their last seven following an ATS win.

PG: Cole Anthony

SG: Jalen Suggs
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
C: Mo Bamba

PG: Ayo Dosunmu

SG: Zach LaVine
SF: Alfonzo McKinnie
PF: DeMar DeRozan
C: Nikola Vucevic

Magic: None

Bulls: Lonzo Ball (knee, out), Alex Caruso (wrist, out)