Fri Mar 07 02:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Magic Favored to Beat Bulls in Eastern Conference Showdown

**Orlando, FL** – The Orlando Magic (29-34) will host the Chicago Bulls (24-38) on Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET in an Eastern Conference matchup at the Kia Center. The Magic, currently the eighth seed, are favored by 7.5 points against the tenth-seeded Bulls, with the over/under set at 218.5 points.

Both teams enter the game on the heels of losses. The Magic fell 114-113 to the Toronto Raptors, extending their losing streak to four games, despite a 41-point performance by Paolo Banchero. The Bulls lost 139-117 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, a game in which Coby White led the team with 25 points.

Injuries are impacting both rosters. Cole Anthony (toe) is questionable for Orlando, while Jalen Suggs (knee) is out for the season. Chicago will be without Lonzo Ball (wrist) and Ayo Dosunmu (shoulder), and Nikola Vucevic (calf) is listed as doubtful.

Despite Chicago’s recent 5-2 against-the-spread record in their last seven games, Orlando has historically dominated this matchup, winning and covering the spread in seven of their last ten meetings. However, the Magic have only covered once in their last five games. A SportsLine projection model, boasting a strong track record, predicts an under on the point total, projecting a combined 211 points and favoring one side of the spread with over 60% confidence. The model’s specific predictions are available on SportsLine.

The game promises a compelling matchup between two teams vying for playoff positioning, with significant injury concerns potentially influencing the outcome.

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