Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT
Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
TV/Streaming: NBCS-BA (Warriors local), NBCS-CA (Kings local), NBA League Pass (national)
Radio: 95.7 The Game / Sactown Sports 1140 AM (Kings), 95.7 The Game (Warriors)

This Pacific Division matchup features a Warriors team still mathematically alive for play-in positioning on the second night of a back-to-back against a Kings squad that has been eliminated from playoff contention for weeks. Golden State enters as a sizable road favorite despite injury uncertainty and fatigue.

Team Records and Standings Context

Golden State Warriors (37-43): 10th in the Western Conference, 15-24 on the road. They sit in the play-in mix but have been inconsistent away from Chase Center.

Sacramento Kings (21-59): 14th in the Western Conference (last in Pacific Division), 7-33 on the road. One of the league’s worst teams overall with a negative scoring margin.

The Warriors are fighting for every win down the stretch; the Kings are playing out the string.

Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)

Golden State Warriors (approx. 2-3 in recent stretch):
Snapped a four-game losing streak with a 110-105 home win over these same Kings on April 7 (Curry’s second game back). Followed up with a 119-103 home loss to the Lakers on April 9. The Warriors have shown flashes of competitiveness when healthy but have been hampered by injuries and a tough schedule.

Sacramento Kings (1-4 or worse recently):
Lost six of their last eight games entering this matchup, including the April 7 home loss to Golden State. The Kings have struggled mightily on both ends, particularly in transition defense and rebounding.

Injury Report

Golden State Warriors (significant absences and questionables):

Stephen Curry (G) – GTD (Knee management)

Kristaps Porzingis (C) – GTD (Knee soreness / illness)

Quinten Post (C) – Out (Foot)

Moses Moody (G) – Out (Knee / patellar tendon)

Jimmy Butler (F) – Out (Knee / ACL)

Al Horford (C) – Out (Calf / back)

Gui Santos (F) – Out (Pelvic contusion)

Will Richard (G) – GTD (Back)

Curry and Porzingis statuses are critical for Golden State’s spacing and interior presence on a back-to-back. Multiple key rotation players are already ruled out.

Sacramento Kings:

DeMar DeRozan (F/G) – Questionable (Hamstring)

Russell Westbrook (G) – Out (Foot)

Keegan Murray (F) – Out (Ankle)

DeRozan’s availability is the biggest question mark for Sacramento’s scoring punch; the Kings are already thin on talent.

Key Player Matchups

Stephen Curry (GSW, if active) vs. Sacramento backcourt (De’Aaron Fox / Killian Hayes): Curry’s gravity and off-ball movement remain elite even in limited minutes. Sacramento’s speed can harass but rarely contains him when hot.

Brandin Podziemski / Warriors wings vs. Maxime Raynaud / Kings frontcourt: Podziemski has been a bright spot for Golden State with efficient scoring and rebounding. Raynaud (Kings rookie big) has shown promise but faces a tough test against Golden State’s length.

Kristaps Porzingis (GSW, if active) vs. Domantas Sabonis / Kings bigs: Porzingis’ stretch-big ability could exploit Sacramento’s interior if he plays; without him, Golden State’s frontcourt thins considerably.

DeMar DeRozan (SAC, if active) vs. Golden State perimeter defenders: DeRozan’s mid-range game is Sacramento’s most reliable scoring option, but a questionable hamstring limits his burst.

Golden State’s superior talent (when available) gives them the edge in most individual battles.

Series History (2025-26 Season)

The teams have split recent meetings, with Golden State winning the most recent contest 110-105 on April 7 at Chase Center. Sacramento holds a slight edge in the season series earlier (1-2 entering that game), but games have generally been competitive. All-time, the Warriors lead the regular-season series significantly.

Betting Trends

Warriors are favored heavily on the road despite the back-to-back and injuries.

Kings are 3-2 ATS in their last five but have been poor straight-up.

Totals have varied; recent Warriors-Kings games have trended slightly under due to pace control.

Public money has leaned toward Golden State.

Game Odds

Golden State Warriors                   – 11.5

Sacramento Kings                            229.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026

Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
TV/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video (national), SCHN / FDSN (local Rockets), KARE 11 (local Timberwolves)
Radio: 790 AM / S: KLTN (Rockets), KFAN FM (Timberwolves)

This late-season Western Conference matchup pits two playoff-positioned teams against each other in what could have significant seeding implications. Houston enters as the hotter squad with home-court dominance, while Minnesota looks to snap a recent skid on the road.

Team Records and Standings Context

Houston Rockets (51-29): 5th in the Western Conference, 29-10 at home. They boast one of the league’s better home records and a solid +5.0 average scoring margin this season.

Minnesota Timberwolves (47-33): 6th in the Western Conference, 22-18 on the road. Their +3.3 average margin reflects a competitive but inconsistent group, especially away from Target Center.

Both teams are locked into playoff spots but are battling for higher seeding in the tightly contested West.

Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)

Houston Rockets (5-0):

W 113-102 vs. Philadelphia (4/9)

W 119-105 @ Phoenix (4/7)

W 117-116 @ Golden State (4/5)

W 140-106 vs. Utah (4/3)

W 119-113 vs. Milwaukee (4/1)

Houston is rolling with elite defense (allowing ~109.8 PPG season-long) and balanced scoring. They’ve won convincingly at home lately and shown resilience on the road.

Minnesota Timberwolves (1-4):

L 132-120 @ Orlando (4/8)

W 124-104 @ Indiana (4/7)

L 122-108 vs. Charlotte (4/5)

L 115-103 @ Philadelphia (4/3)

L 113-108 @ Detroit (4/2)

Minnesota has struggled defensively of late and is 1-4 in its last five, including blowout losses. Road woes have been pronounced, though the win at Indiana showed offensive potential.

Injury Report

Minnesota Timberwolves (significant absences possible):

Anthony Edwards (G) – GTD (Knee)

Ayo Dosunmu (G) – GTD (Calf)

Bones Hyland (G) – GTD (Hip)

Joe Ingles (F) – Out (Personal, est. return Apr 12)

Rudy Gobert (C) – Out (Rest, est. return Apr 12)

Julius Randle (F) – Questionable (Hand, per latest reports)

Gobert’s rest day is a major blow to Minnesota’s interior defense and rebounding. Edwards’ status is critical — his absence or limitation would further handicap the offense.

Houston Rockets:

Steven Adams (C) – Out for Season (Ankle)

Fred VanVleet (G) – Out (Knee, long-term)

Houston’s absences are long-term and already priced into their strong recent play. The roster depth (including Kevin Durant’s scoring punch) remains intact.

Key Player Matchups

Julius Randle (MIN) vs. Rockets frontcourt (e.g., Alperen Şengün / Jabari Smith Jr.): Randle has been Minnesota’s most consistent scorer lately (averaging 20+ PPG in recent games). Houston’s size and length could challenge him, but Randle’s playmaking creates mismatches.

Anthony Edwards (MIN, if active) vs. Houston perimeter defenders (e.g., Durant / Amen Thompson): Edwards’ explosiveness is Minnesota’s best weapon, but a questionable knee limits his burst. Durant’s length and experience provide elite on-ball defense.

Alperen Şengün (HOU) vs. Minnesota’s depleted bigs (Naz Reid / without Gobert): Şengün dominates the paint and has been a double-double machine. Without Gobert anchoring the rim, Minnesota’s interior defense is vulnerable.

Kevin Durant (HOU) vs. Minnesota wings (Jaden McDaniels / others): Durant’s mid-range game and spacing remain elite at this stage; he’s a focal point in Houston’s half-court sets.

Houston’s depth and home advantage give them the edge in most individual battles.

Series History (2025-26 Season)

The teams split their first two meetings:

March 25, 2026: Minnesota 110, Houston 108 (OT) — Timberwolves erased a 13-point deficit in overtime for a historic comeback (at Minnesota).

January 16, 2026: Houston 110, Minnesota 105 (at Houston).

All-time, Houston leads the regular-season series significantly (~86-56), but this season’s games have been close and competitive. Houston is 5-0 SU in its last five overall but the recent head-to-head shows Minnesota’s ability to steal games when healthy.

Betting Trends

Houston is 5-0 SU in its last five games and strong ATS at home (29-10 record supports cover potential).

Minnesota is 1-4 SU recently and has struggled ATS as a road underdog of this magnitude.

Totals have gone over in 4 of Houston’s last 5; Minnesota’s road games often trend higher without Gobert’s defensive presence.

Houston covers the spread in 3 of last 5; public betting leans heavily toward the Rockets (~53% on Houston).

Game Odds

Minnesota Timberwolves            224.5

Houston Rockets                              – 10.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026

Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. MT)
Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah

This Southwest Division matchup serves as the final home game of the 2025-26 season for the Utah Jazz on Fan Appreciation Night at the Delta Center. Both lottery-bound teams are playing out the string with nothing but pride, draft positioning, and youth evaluation on the line. The Grizzlies arrive on the road after a brutal stretch, while the Jazz hope to snap a lengthy skid in front of what is expected to be a packed house for their 374th consecutive sellout.

Injury Report

Memphis Grizzlies:

Cedric Coward (F) – Out (back)

Cam Spencer (G) – Out (back)

Taylor Hendricks (F) – Out (thumb)

Santi Aldama (F) – Out for season (knee)

Olivier-Maxence Prosper (F) – Out (ankle)

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G) – Out for season (finger)

GG Jackson (F) – Out (knee)

Ja Morant (G) – Out for season (elbow)

Scotty Pippen Jr. (G) – Out for season (toe)

Zach Edey (C) – Out for season (ankle)

Ty Jerome (G) – Out (ankle)

Jaylen Wells (G) – Out for season (toe)

Brandon Clarke (F) – Out for season (calf)

Javon Small (G) – Out (thigh)

Walter Clayton Jr. (G) – Questionable/Doubtful (hip/calf)

Utah Jazz:

Isaiah Collier (G) – Out (hamstring)

Keyonte George (G) – Out (hamstring/leg)

Walker Kessler (C) – Out for season (shoulder)

Lauri Markkanen (F) – Out (hip)

Jusuf Nurkic (C) – Out for season (nose)

Brice Sensabaugh (F) – Out (rest)

Kyle Filipowski (F/C) – Out (back)

Jaren Jackson Jr. (F) – Out (knee)

Elijah Harkless (G) – Questionable (hamstring)

Ace Bailey (F) – Questionable (knee)

Both rosters are decimated by season-long absences and recent injuries, leaving heavy reliance on G-League call-ups, two-way players, and unproven youth. The injury report balloons to more than 20 players across both sides, making this one of the most patchwork lineups of the season.

Player Matchups & Probable Starters

MEM Probable Starters (fluid): Patchwork group featuring available young pieces such as Javon Small (if active), Walter Clayton Jr. (if active), and rotation depth including recent standouts like Cedric Coward (when healthy).

UTA Probable Starters (fluid): Heavy minutes expected for young talent like Ace Bailey (if active), Rayan Rupert, Svi Mykhailiuk, and other call-ups around the depleted frontcourt.

Key Matchups:

Grizzlies youth (Coward/Small if active) vs. Jazz young core (Bailey/Rupert): Both sides will feature high-upside but inconsistent rookies and sophomores. Coward has been a bright spot for Memphis lately (17+ PPG in recent action), while Bailey has shown scoring bursts for Utah.

Rebounding and interior play: With multiple centers and power forwards out (Edey, Kessler, Nurkic, etc.), expect a chaotic, up-and-down game with weak rim protection on both ends.

Bench/Depth: Extremely thin rotations for both teams mean foul trouble or fatigue could decide the outcome; G-League call-ups will see extended minutes.

The game shapes up as a high-variance, offense-friendly affair due to the lack of defensive anchors.

Recent Team Forms

Grizzlies (0-6 in last 6, 1-9 in last 10): Memphis has dropped six straight and nine of its last 10, struggling mightily on offense and defense amid the injury wave.

Jazz (0-10 in last 10): Utah is mired in a 10-game losing streak, including a recent 156-137 road loss to New Orleans. Defensive breakdowns and turnovers have plagued them.

Series History

Memphis holds the season-series edge (2-1) entering tonight, with recent wins including a 123-114 victory over Utah on Feb. 20, 2026. The Grizzlies have taken several of the last head-to-head meetings overall despite the injury-plagued campaigns. Games between these clubs have often been high-scoring when rotations are thin. This is the final 2025-26 matchup.

Betting Trends

The total has gone OVER in 7 of Memphis’ last 8 games; Jazz are 0-5 SU in their last 5 and 2-3 ATS recently. Both teams rank near the bottom league-wide in efficiency, but depleted rosters often lead to inflated scoring.

Game Odds

Memphis Grizzlies          248-.5

Utah Jazz                             – 3.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026

Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado

This Western Conference showdown is a heavyweight clash with major seeding implications in the final week of the regular season. The top-seeded Thunder visit the third-place Nuggets, who have surged into the No. 3 seed with a 10-game winning streak and are closing their home schedule strong. Oklahoma City has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the West, while Denver is fighting to avoid a tougher second-round path.

Injury Report

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right oblique injury management) – Out

Chet Holmgren (low back spasms) – Out

Jalen Williams (right hamstring injury management) – Out

Isaiah Hartenstein (left soleus/calf injury management) – Out

Isaiah Joe (left knee soreness) – Out

Cason Wallace (left great toe soreness) – Out

Ajay Mitchell (left ankle injury management) – Out

Alex Caruso (rest) – Out

Jaylin Williams (right Achilles) – Out

Thomas Sorber (right ACL recovery) – Out

Denver Nuggets:

Nikola Jokić (right wrist) – Questionable (day-to-day)

Jamal Murray (right shoulder impingement) – Questionable (day-to-day)

Aaron Gordon (right hamstring) – Questionable (day-to-day)

Spencer Jones (right hamstring strain) – Out

Peyton Watson (right hamstring strain) – Out

Oklahoma City is extremely short-handed and in heavy load-management/rest mode with the No. 1 seed secured. Denver’s big three are all questionable but expected to be game-time decisions; the Nuggets’ depth has carried them through the recent streak regardless.

Player Matchups & Probable Starters

OKC Probable Starters (heavily depleted): Lu Dort / reserves, plus young rotation pieces and two-way call-ups (exact lineup fluid due to mass absences).

DEN Probable Starters (TBD pending big-three status): Nikola Jokić (C – if active), Jamal Murray (G – if active), Aaron Gordon (F – if active), plus supporting wings like Christian Braun and frontcourt depth.

Key Matchups:

Nuggets’ star trio (if healthy) vs. Thunder reserves: Jokić’s elite playmaking and interior dominance should overwhelm a depleted OKC frontcourt missing Holmgren and Hartenstein. Murray’s scoring and Gordon’s athleticism exploit mismatches against OKC’s young or rested perimeter.

Thunder youth movement vs. Denver’s experience: Without SGA, Jalen Williams, and Caruso, Oklahoma City relies on unproven pieces that will struggle to match Denver’s half-court execution and transition pace.

Bench/Depth: Denver’s veteran rotation and recent hot form provide a massive edge in second-unit scoring and defensive intensity.

The talent and experience gap widens dramatically if Oklahoma City rests its core.

Recent Team Forms

Thunder (7-3 in last 10, seeking 8th straight win): Oklahoma City remains dominant overall but enters this contest with heavy rest and load management after a strong season-long run.

Nuggets (10-game winning streak, 8-2 in last 10): Denver has been one of the hottest teams in the league, climbing into the No. 3 seed with elite offense and balanced play at home.

Series History

Oklahoma City leads the 2025-26 season series 3-0 (most recent: 129-126 Thunder win on March 9 in Oklahoma City; earlier wins of 127-121 OT on Feb. 27 and 121-111 on Feb. 1 in Denver). Denver has struggled to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in those matchups, but tonight’s absences flip the script. This is the final regular-season meeting.

Betting Trends

Denver is strong as home favorites during winning streaks; unders have hit in several recent Nuggets contests when resting opponents are involved. Oklahoma City is poor ATS when heavily resting stars.

Game Odds

Oklahoma City Thunder                232.5

Denver Nuggets                                – 11.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026

Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This late-season Eastern Conference matchup pits the lottery-bound Brooklyn Nets against a Milwaukee Bucks team that has underperformed all year but still holds a better record. Both clubs have been eliminated from playoff contention, turning this contest into a battle for pride, draft positioning, and evaluation of young talent at Fiserv Forum. The Nets are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back after a tough stretch, while the Bucks aim to close the home schedule on a positive note.

Injury Report

Brooklyn Nets:

Dennis Schröder (PG) – Out (groin)

Cam Thomas (SG) – Out for season (knee)

Ben Simmons (PG) – Out (back)

Noah Clowney (PF) – Out (ankle)

Multiple two-way/G-League call-ups filling the roster.

Milwaukee Bucks:

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF) – Questionable (right calf tightness – limited in recent practices)

Damian Lillard (PG) – Questionable (ankle)

Khris Middleton (SF) – Out (wrist)

Pat Connaughton (SG) – Out (calf)

Milwaukee’s injury list is particularly impactful if Giannis and Lillard are limited or sit, further thinning an already inconsistent rotation. Brooklyn is extremely short-handed and reliant on youth and depth players.

Player Matchups & Probable Starters

BKN Probable Starters: Keon Johnson (SG), Ziaire Williams (SF), Nic Claxton (C), plus young pieces like Jalen Wilson (PF) and rotation guards.

MIL Probable Starters: (TBD pending Giannis/Lillard status) – Damian Lillard (PG – if active), Gary Trent Jr. (SG), plus frontcourt depth around Bobby Portis or MarJon Beauchamp.

Key Matchups:

Young Nets wings vs. Bucks perimeter: Brooklyn’s athletic group (Johnson, Williams) will try to exploit any defensive lapses, but Milwaukee’s length (even without Middleton) creates mismatches.

Nic Claxton vs. Milwaukee frontcourt: Claxton’s rim protection is one of Brooklyn’s few bright spots, but he faces a depleted Bucks interior that still features size and rebounding.

Bench/Depth: Both teams are thin, but Milwaukee’s veteran experience (Portis, Trent) gives them a slight edge in second-unit execution if the stars play.

If Giannis sits or is limited, the matchup becomes even more favorable for Brooklyn’s youth movement to compete.

Recent Team Forms

Nets (2-8 in last 10): Brooklyn has shown occasional flashes from their young core but continues to struggle with consistency and defensive effort, dropping most recent games by double digits.

Bucks (3-7 in last 10): Milwaukee has been streaky at best, with wins mixed against lottery teams but losses to stronger squads. Home games have offered slightly better results, but injuries have derailed momentum.

Series History

Milwaukee leads the 2025-26 season series 3-1 (most recent: 118-109 Bucks win on March 12 in Brooklyn). The Bucks have taken 8 of the last 10 meetings overall, with games at Fiserv Forum typically resulting in comfortable home victories when healthy. This is the final 2025-26 matchup between the teams.

Betting Trends

Milwaukee is strong as home favorites against lottery teams; totals have gone UNDER in 6 of Brooklyn’s last 9 road games. Bucks cover the spread at a solid rate when Giannis plays.

Game Odds

Brooklyn Nets                   218.5

Milwaukee Bucks            – 10.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026

Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. CT)
Venue: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas

This Southwest Division matchup is the penultimate game of the 2025-26 regular season for both teams, with the rebuilding Dallas Mavericks visiting the playoff-bound San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. San Antonio enters as one of the league’s top teams and looks to extend its recent dominance over Dallas, while the Mavericks—already eliminated—are focused on development and lottery positioning in a season highlighted by rookie Cooper Flagg’s emergence.

Injury Report

Dallas Mavericks:

Brandon Williams (G) – GTD (illness)

Naji Marshall (F) – GTD (hip)

Caleb Martin (SF) – GTD (foot/heel)

Daniel Gafford (C) – GTD (shoulder)

Long-term: Kyrie Irving (SG) – Out (left knee surgery); Dereck Lively II (C) – Out (right foot surgery, season); additional depth pieces on two-way/G-League status.

San Antonio Spurs:

Stephon Castle (PG) – DTD (knee)

Victor Wembanyama (C) – DTD (rib)

Limited other absences; core rotation largely intact.

Dallas is extremely thin and dealing with multiple day-to-day issues plus season-ending losses, forcing heavy reliance on young talent and call-ups. San Antonio’s injuries are manageable and unlikely to derail their rotation depth.

Player Matchups & Probable Starters

DAL Probable Starters: Cooper Flagg (key rookie forward/guard hybrid), plus available pieces like Marvin Bagley III, Max Christie, and rotation depth (lineup fluid due to GTDs).

SAS Probable Starters: Victor Wembanyama (C), plus backcourt/wing stars including De’Aaron Fox (if healthy) and supporting cast like Harrison Ingram or others in the rotation.

Key Matchups:

Cooper Flagg vs. Victor Wembanyama: The 2025 No. 1 pick Flagg (showing Rookie of the Year flashes with double-doubles and defense) battles Wembanyama’s generational size, rim protection, and scoring in what could be a marquee young-star showdown.

Mavericks perimeter vs. Spurs backcourt: Dallas’s makeshift guard play (Christie, Williams if active) faces San Antonio’s elite spacing and transition attack.

Bench/Depth: The Spurs’ veteran and high-upside rotation provides overwhelming advantages in scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility against Dallas’s injury-riddled and inexperienced group.

San Antonio’s superior size, athleticism, and execution should control the paint and perimeter.

Recent Team Forms

Mavericks (struggling stretch, L2 most recently): Dallas fell 112-107 at Phoenix on April 8 (with Flagg posting 11-13-6) and has been inconsistent offensively while ranking near the bottom league-wide in efficiency.

Spurs (strong form, W2): San Antonio has maintained elite production (119.6 PPG scored, 111.2 allowed) with balanced scoring and defense, winning consistently at home and against divisional foes.

Series History

The Spurs have dominated the 2025-26 season series and hold a 4-game head-to-head win streak entering tonight (including recent blowouts and competitive victories). Historically, San Antonio has owned this rivalry in recent years, with games at Frost Bank Center often resulting in comfortable home wins. This is the final 2025-26 meeting between the divisional rivals.

Betting Trends

San Antonio covers as large home favorites at a high rate; unders have been common in some recent Spurs games, but Mavericks contests often trend higher due to pace. Dallas is poor ATS against top teams.

Game Odds

Dallas Mavericks              238.5

San Antonio Spurs           – 18.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 9, 2026

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