Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic on Thursday, January 28 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Magic about a 80% chance, and the Bulls would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Magic 80%, with a projected score of Chicago Bulls 111, Orlando Magic 119. The rating gap is 146 points in favor of the Magic, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Magic on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Bulls are 1-2 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -17. The Magic are 0-2 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -14.4.
The Bulls were beaten 135-92 on the road by TOR not long ago.
The Magic were beaten 115-93 at home by MIN not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Nicolas Claxton (CHI), expected back Nov 4, 2026, Noa Essengue (CHI), expected back Oct 26, 2026, Patrick Williams (CHI), expected back Oct 26, 2026, Jonathan Isaac (ORL), expected back Oct 28, 2026, and Izaiyah Nelson (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Anthony Black (ORL). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Bulls lead 4-3, with the Magic outscoring the Bulls by an average of 2.7 points per game. The last meeting was ORL 127, CHI 103.