WATCH MAGIC BULLS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE: @OMAGICDAILY
Tickets: $34-$394+ on StubHub
Season series: Bulls 102, Magic 99 at Chicago on Oct. 30; Tonight in Orlando; March 12 in Orlando

Our record: 13-6/8-11 ATS

The Orlando Magic are undefeated at home and lost 8-0. They haven’t lost at the Kia Center since March, when they lost a close game to the LA Clippers. The Magic are simply a different team at home – the numbers back this up as they have a respectable 115.5 offensive rating at home.

Everything just seems to fit and work in Orlando. And with the Chicago Bulls coming off a stunning win at the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, the Orlando Magic have a residual advantage heading into this game. That’s a big deal considering how potent Orlando’s defense is.

However, Chicago was able to at least get some rest by knocking out Washington on the road. And the Bulls also have a win over the Magic. They also get Lonzo Ball back from a wrist injury.

That should give a boost to a Bulls team that already plays very fast. Chicago will test Orlando’s defense in a variety of ways. It’s nothing the Magic aren’t willing to do.

Orlando will also get good news injury-wise. Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter are no longer listed on the Magic’s injury report. This means they are expected to be available for the game on Wednesday.

3. Limiting threesomes

Everyone is so obsessed with the Orlando Magic’s inability to hit shots from outside that they forget to look at the other side of the equation: The Magic don’t give up many 3-point attempts and defend the 3-point line exceptionally good .

Making or missing threesomes is at least partly a matter of luck. Sometimes these shots go in and sometimes they don’t, whether overt or covert.

The good defenses are those that limit the opponent’s attempts. Fewer attempts means fewer brands. It’s simple math.

Orlando is first in the league making 32.5 3-point attempts per game. Part of that is the Magic playing at one of the slowest paces in the league (possessions per 48 minutes). But Orlando can withstand poor shooting because other teams don’t make enough threes to make the team pay.

The Chicago Bulls will be a challenge in that regard.

They rank third in the league with 42.5 3-point attempts per game – and fifth in the league with 38.3 percent of them. The Bulls made 13 of 34 (38.2 percent) in their first game in October. That played into the Magic’s hands, even if the Magic couldn’t make the threes to keep up in this game.

2. Coby White’s real role

The Chicago Bulls are a team in a strange situation right now.

Their 8-11 record is good for ninth place in the Eastern Conference. They still have plenty of top talent and are positioned to compete for a postseason spot with their improved offense. And more to do in this Eastern Conference. Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are back to putting up All-Star level numbers.

However, they are expected to be sellers at the close. The Bulls are desperate to move LaVine. Vucevic also seems to be on the move.

The silent candidate could be Coby White. But White might be the best player the Bulls need to rebuild with. He finally found the right role.

White is averaging 19.2 points per game and shooting 39.3 percent from three attempts on 8.8 attempts per game. With Josh Giddey in the lineup, he plays off the ball a bit more, and that seems to suit White better with his excellent shooting ability.

White is probably the player most teams want the most from the Bulls. Even though he is a smaller guard, his shooting is outstanding and that is such a valuable skill. He should be on the Orlando Magic’s radar. Even though it feels like the Bulls should keep him at all costs.

1. Wendell Carter’s defense

At this point it is not certain if Wendell Carter will play and what role he will play. The Orlando Magic could and should slowly ease him back into the lineup with plantar fasciitis. Carter is definitely eager to get back into the mix of things.

Carter could win back his starting spot. But that won’t happen without major debates. Goga Bitadze has once again provided a more than admirable replacement. Bitadze should have a spot in the Magic rotation – or any NBA rotation.

Bitadze is gaining a reputation for being the better defender because he is a shot blocker. A much better shot blocker than Carter. But Carter is no problem on defense.

Before his injury, opponents were shooting 50.0 percent at the rim on 4.7 field goal attempts per game against Carter, according to Second Spectrum. That ranks 11th in the league among opponents who have at least 4.0 field goal attempts at the rim per game.

Carter doesn’t block shots, but he did get steals – 1.3 per game. He fits this Magic defense in many ways with his versatility, ability to defend the perimeter and be a wall in the paint.

Carter tends to play his best against his former team. It’s fitting that he returns for this time.