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Chicago (9-10) at Orlando (12-8)
- When: Dec 1 2025, 7:30 PM
- Where: Kia Center, Orlando, FL, USA
- TV: Peacock
Chicago vs Orlando Preview & Prediction
Spread: Orlando -8.5
Moneyline: Orlando (-370)
Total: 239.0
Orlando Magic Outlook
Orlando arrives in this matchup feeling like they just won the basketball version of The Amazing Race. They survived the NBA Cup group stage by mowing down Boston, Brooklyn, Philly and Detroit like they were checking items off a grocery list. Now they return home with the sort of swagger you only get after clinching a trip to the Cup quarterfinals and realizing you do not have to play Milwaukee this time.
The Magic have been scoring like a team that forgot what defense is supposed to look like, consistently cracking the 120 mark before the recent Detroit win that somehow finished at a mere 112. When this group is at home, the Kia Center turns into a carnival. Their last home stand included them sweeping Golden State, the Clippers and the Knicks while putting up 127.7 points per night, which is usually the kind of number you only see in video games or rec league ball when someone refuses to play defense.
Coach Jamahl Mosley practically hugged the nearest microphone when he said how thrilled he was to be back in Orlando. And honestly, you cannot blame him. The fans are loud, the team is hot and Desmond Bane is scoring like someone who decided layups are the new three pointers. He poured in 37 in Detroit without hitting a single triple, which is impressive, confusing and physically upsetting to anyone who bet his threes that night.
Orlando has improved their deep shooting since the ugly 3 for 24 disaster against Chicago in October, but that game feels like it happened in a different timeline.
Chicago Bulls Outlook
Chicago began the season looking like the surprise team that might crash the East standings party, rattling off five straight wins and acting like everything was finally clicking. Then someone unplugged the power strip. The Bulls have dropped ten of their last fourteen and the road has become their personal house of horrors, losing eight of their last ten away from home.
This current trip has been basketball chaos. First a track meet loss in New Orleans, then a respectable but still losing effort in Charlotte, then a defensive slugfest where they managed to score 101 points which is not ideal when your opponent hits 103.
Coach Billy Donovan is less worried about the three point line and more worried about the fact that his team is defending the paint like it is optional. Allowing nearly 57 points in the lane per game on this trip is the kind of number that makes a coach rethink his life choices.
Josh Giddey dropped 21 on the Magic last time and has basically stayed parked at that number during the losing streak. Chicago is still fighting, but the legs look heavy and the defense looks like it needs a therapist.
NBA Prediction
Orlando is rested, rolling and back home where they score like maniacs. Chicago is tired, frustrated and defending the paint like they are allergic to it. The spread makes sense and the total is high for a reason.
Final Score: Magic 128, Bulls 115
Lean: Orlando -8.5
Total: Over 239.0
- NBA Basketball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
