The Chicago Bulls will look for some revenge against the Orlando Magic when the two teams face off at the United Center tonight.
The Magic handed the Bulls their worst loss of the season with a 107-78 win at Chicago on Dec. 1. The Magic have won three straight over the Bulls and eight of the last 10.
Orlando comes into the game off a 111-96 win at Indiana on Wednesday and has won three of its last four, including two straight on the road. Chicago brings a three-game winning streak to the table, with all three wins coming at the United Center.
Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight's game, oddsmakers have the Magic favored by one point over the Bulls with the total set at 187.5.
While Orlando had no trouble against the Bulls earlier this season, this is a completely different team than the one Chicago has seen in the past. The last time the Magic played the Bulls, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis and Marcin Gortat were still on the team. Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson are the only two players who will start tonight that started against Chicago the first time around.
While it may be a new look for the Magic, it may end up being the same result for the Bulls. In Orlando's latest win over the Pacers, Howard had 19 points and 16 rebounds but was just one of six different players who scored in double figures. Jason Richardson also had 19, and Ryan Anderson had 14 off the bench. Those two combined to go 8-of-16 from three-point range, as the Magic finished 16-of-34 from long distance.
Chicago allowed the Magic to shoot 10-of-21 in the first game, and how well they defend the three-point shot will likely decide this game. It's going to be hard for the Bulls to contain Howard, but if they can take away the three-pointer, they have a good shot at winning.
Derrick Rose had an off game against the Magic with just 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting and only four assists. It was also the first game of the season for Carlos Boozer, who had just five points in 22 minutes. Both players should have a much better night from the field this time around.
Rose had 21 points and 10 assists in Chicago's most recent win over the Bucks. Boozer added 14, but the story of the game was Kurt Thomas, who had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Boozer has upped his average to 19 points and 10 rebounds a game since his season debut against the Magic and will have to have a big game for the Bulls to have a chance.
While Orlando has dominated the Bulls of late, Chicago comes into this game with three days of rest and is 21-4 on its home court this season. I think you have to take the point and bet the Bulls in this one.
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