{"id":21489,"date":"2026-01-02T13:41:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bb-auae-prd-ext-blog-01.azurewebsites.net\/?p=21489"},"modified":"2026-01-02T13:45:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:45:43","slug":"saturday-nba-tips-cashing-in-on-missing-bulls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prdextblog01.bluebet.com.au\/nba\/saturday-nba-tips-cashing-in-on-missing-bulls\/","title":{"rendered":"Saturday NBA Tips – Cashing In on Missing Bulls"},"content":{"rendered":"
January is the month that can set up an NBA team\u2019s season, and both the Magic and Bulls will be looking for strong performances with each side currently hovering around the Eastern Conference playoff picture.<\/span><\/p>\n The hot-and-cold Bulls appear to have turned the corner again, winning six of their last eight games despite entering this matchup without the Giddey\u2013White backcourt due to injury.<\/span><\/p>\n That wasn\u2019t an issue last time out against the Pelicans, although the Magic present a much sterner test than New Orleans.<\/span><\/p>\n That said, it\u2019s been more than a month since Orlando put together consecutive wins as they continue to work through their system with Banchero, Bane, Suggs, and the emergence of Anthony Black.<\/span><\/p>\n Smith started at power forward last game with Giddey and White sidelined and made the most of the opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n He finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds in 26 minutes and is averaging 10 rebounds per game across three outings without the duo this season.<\/span><\/p>\n The Magic concede rebounds to power forwards at a rate 11% above league average over the past month, so if Billy Donovan sticks with Smith as a starter, he should be well placed to clear this line again.<\/span><\/p>\n On paper, Vucevic looks like the next offensive option with Giddey and White out, but the numbers suggest otherwise.<\/span><\/p>\n He\u2019s averaging just 11.3 points across the three games played without the pair this season and has failed to clear 18.5 points in all three.<\/span><\/p>\n Orlando are one of the NBA\u2019s best teams at limiting centre scoring, holding the position 25% below league average over the past month, making this a tough matchup for Vuc.<\/span><\/p>\n Huerter has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of this lineup configuration.<\/span><\/p>\n Without Giddey and White, his minutes jump from 24 to 30, and his scoring increases significantly, hitting 10+ points in all three games while averaging 18.7.<\/span><\/p>\n While his recent form has been mixed, Huerter averages 13.8 points when playing 25+ minutes this season, reaching double figures in 11 of 13 such games.<\/span><\/p>\nOrlando Magic @ Chicago Bulls<\/strong><\/h2>\n
LEG 1 – Jalen Smith 8+ Rebounds<\/strong><\/h3>\n
LEG 2 – Nikola Vucevic Under 18.5 Points<\/strong><\/h3>\n
LEG 3 – Kevin Huerter 10+ Points<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Same Game Multi<\/strong><\/h3>\n