The defense of teams tanking has always been that players and coaches do not tank, only front offices do. The Chicago Bulls underscore this reality, as they have scuffled lower and lower since losing Zach LaVine, yet they remain just within the Play-In Tournament.
The Orlando Magic should knock Chicago a step closer to missing the postseason entirely, not that Orlando has been playing particularly well of late, either.
My Bulls vs. Magic predictions recognize just how bad Chicago has been in the last month. Let's get into my NBA picks before tip comes at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 6.
Bulls vs Magic prediction
My best bet
Magic -7.0 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
The Orlando Magic have at least been able to blame injuries this season. Paolo Banchero missed more than two months of the season, Franz Wagner missed more than a month and a half, and Jalen Suggs will end up missing more than half of the season.
The Magic had greater hopes this year, but they are condemned to the Play-In Tournament. And yet, they are far better off than the Chicago Bulls, even if they are ultimately destined for the same Play-In Tournament.
The Bulls have not been undone by injuries, not like the Magic have been. This was always their reality, though they have emphasized the spiral in the last month of games.
Zach LaVine was sidelined a few games before Chicago traded him. Looking at the nearly three months before his absence and then departure — a time period dating back to a few games he missed in early November — the Bulls offense fared well, ranking No. 13 in rating at 113.0, a big part of how their net rating hung at -2.3, No. 21 in the NBA. Chicago was bad, but not dreadful.
In the 15 games since LaVine left the lineup, the floor has fallen out on the Bulls. Their offense worsened by 1.4 points per 100 possessions, now No. 23 in rating in the NBA since Jan. 28. Shockingly, their defense worsened by even more, falling by 3.7 points per 100 possessions since losing LaVine. As a result, Chicago’s net rating of -7.3 ranks No. 28 since Jan. 28.
To emphasize how bad that is, realize only the Mavericks and the Hornets are worse.
Since Franz Wagner’s return to full-go in the Orlando rotation, the Magic have not excelled, ranking No. 20 in net rating at -4.2, but that is 3.5 points better per 100 possessions than they were faring without him. And the Orlando weakness is its offense, which should see more open looks as Chicago’s defense has so plummeted.
Bet against the Bulls until further notice, even when they face someone who has lost its last four games both outright and against the spread. The Magic still demand more respect.
Bulls vs Magic same-game parlay
Magic -7
Magic Team Total Over 112.5
Franz Wagner Over 26.5 points
Every leg of this same-game parlay is designed to doubt Chicago’s defense. Rating No. 25 since Jan. 28 was not one of the effects expected from losing LaVine. That is the result of a roster adrift.
Franz Wagner has scored 27, 25 and 28 points in his last three games, the steadying of an up-and-down stretch since his return. In 17 games since fully returning to the rotation, Wagner has cleared this points prop in eight of them.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Bulls vs Magic score prediction
Score prediction: Magic 115, Bulls 105
If anything, this thought expects too little of the Orlando offense against a defense that has given up 126 points per game in its last four games.
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Bulls vs Magic odds
Bulls vs Magic live odds
Bulls vs Magic opening odds
- Spread: Chicago +7.5 | Orlando -7.5
- Moneyline: Chicago +230 | Orlando -280
- Over/Under: Over 219 | Under 219
Odds courtesy of bet365
Bulls vs Magic spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Magic opened as 7.5-point favorites on Wednesday evening and then spent most of the overnight as seven-point favorites.
- Thursday morning spent a couple hours at -7.5 before steadying at -7.
- The total opened at 219 and took until late Thursday morning to fall to 218.5.
Bulls vs Magic trend
Since Feb. 1, nine of Chicago’s 13 opponents have gone Over their respective team totals. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Magic.
How to watch Bulls vs Magic
| Location | Kia Center, Orlando, Florida |
| Date | Thursday, 3-6-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | CHSN, FanDuel Sports Network-Florida |
Bulls vs Magic latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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