The Bulls had a narrow escape against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, 102-99. It included an absurd whistle towards the end that favored the Bulls, which the NBA later admitted to be a wrong call, but it is what is, and everyone will just have to move on.
In the win, Dwyane Wade turned back the clock and had one of his finest performances as a Bull, scoring 30 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and four blocks.
Wade (18.7 PPG) and Jimmy Butler (24.7 PPG) are pretty much alone on the team’s offense, though. Excluding the two, Taj Gibson (11.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG) is the only player to put up double digit points. Thus, Chicago is just 23rd in scoring (101.2 PPG) and 18th in offensive efficiency.
Rebounding remains as one of their best strengths (47.4 RPG, first in the league), thanks to Wade, Butler, Gibson, Robin Lopez, and Rajon Rondo (although he’s playing time has greatly diminished). The five are combining for over 30 boards per night, which of course helps the team get extra possessions.
Chicago is just 2-9 in their last 11 games on the road (3-8 ATS).
The Magic added another L in the loss column Sunday afternoon, as they lost to the Golden State Warriors, 118-98, and gave up a season-worst 19 threes. With the defeat, they have now lost 11 of their last 15 games (4-10-1 ATS).
Against the Bulls, the Magic wouldn’t have to worry about a high-octane offense, since they are both one of the most low-scoring teams in the league – Orlando is just 25th in scoring (99.9 PPG) and 27th in offensive efficiency. With leading scorer Evan Fournier (17 PPG) still nursing a heel injury, getting consistent O is bound to get even tougher.
Serge Ibaka (15.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG) and Nikola Vucevic (13.7 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.8 APG), who are second and third in the team in points, are the easy choices as the next most offensively-skilled players on the roster after Fournier, although Elfrid Payton might have a different opinion. The third-year point guard is averaging 20.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.3 steals per game in his last six contests (53.8-percent shooting).
Ibaka, Vucevic, and Bismack Biyombo’s reputation as an intimidating presence in the shaded lane should equal to an interesting matchup with the Bulls’ aggressive bigs and slashers. Payton and the Magic’s guards/forwards, meanwhile, will have a great challenge opposite Wade and Butler.
