Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
This late-season Eastern Conference matchup features the surging Orlando Magic visiting the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Orlando enters on a four-game winning streak and sits in the thick of the Eastern Conference play-in race (currently 7th), while the Bulls—already eliminated from postseason contention—are playing out the string with little left to play for beyond pride and lottery positioning.
Injury Report
Orlando Magic:
Jett Howard (G) – Out (ankle; expected return ~April 12)
Jonathan Isaac (F) – Out (knee; expected return ~April 12)
Chicago Bulls:
Guerschon Yabusele (F) – GTD (shoulder)
Matas Buzelis (F) – GTD (illness)
Josh Giddey (G) – GTD (hamstring)
Isaac Okoro (F) – GTD (quadriceps)
Orlando is relatively healthy for a late-season road game but will miss key depth pieces on the wing and in the frontcourt. Chicago’s injury list features several day-to-day rotation players, further thinning an already inconsistent lineup.
Player Matchups & Probable Starters
ORL Probable Starters: Paolo Banchero (PF), Franz Wagner (SF), Jalen Suggs (PG), plus supporting wings and bigs like Goga Bitadze (C) and others in the rotation.
CHI Probable Starters: Coby White (PG), plus available pieces including Nikola Vučević (C) and wings/frontcourt depth (lineup fluid due to GTD statuses).
Key Matchups:
Paolo Banchero vs. Chicago frontcourt: Banchero (22.3 PPG leader for Orlando) should dominate a depleted Bulls interior lacking size and rim protection.
Jalen Suggs / Magic perimeter vs. Coby White: Suggs’ defensive intensity and Orlando’s spacing will challenge White (18.6 PPG) and the Bulls’ backcourt.
Bench/Depth: Orlando’s veteran and athletic rotation provides a clear edge in second-unit scoring and rebounding against Chicago’s inconsistent youth and injury-riddled group.
Orlando’s superior talent, size, and defensive versatility give them a significant edge, especially if Chicago is missing multiple rotation.
Recent Team Forms
Magic (4-1 in last 5 / 4-game win streak): Orlando has rolled to impressive victories over Minnesota (132-120), Detroit (123-107), New Orleans (112-108), and Dallas (138-127). Offense has been efficient, and defense has tightened up during the surge.
Bulls (mixed, roughly 3-7 in last 10): Chicago earned a blowout win over Washington (129-98) on April 7 but has otherwise struggled with inconsistent scoring and defensive lapses (including recent losses to Phoenix and New York).
Series History
The 2025-26 season series is competitive, with each team winning two of the first four meetings (most recent: Bulls 121-114 on Jan. 2; Magic 125-120 on Dec. 1). Historically, the Bulls hold a slight all-time edge (69-62), but recent games have been high-scoring and closely contested. This is the final 2025-26 meeting.
Betting Trends
Orlando covers as large favorites at a high rate on the road lately; totals have trended over in several recent Magic games during their win streak. Bulls are poor ATS against winning teams.
Game Odds
Orlando Magic – 15.5
Chicago Bulls 244.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026
