Bulls/Magic preview
The Magic (29-33, 19-12 home, 8th East) will try to win their second game in a row for the first time since early FEB as they host CHI (35-28, 11-20 road, 5th East) THU night in a nationally televised contest. CHI is coming off an embarrassing 103-70 loss at MIA on WED night, where they were outscored 47-17 to close the game after pulling to within three in the third quarter. G Ben Gordon led the Bulls with just 14 pts.
CHI is led in scoring by Gordon, averaging 21.4 ppg; F Luol Deng 18.8 pts, 7 rebs; G Kirk Hinrich 16 ppg, 6.1 asts; F Andres Nocioni, who is injured and out indefinitely, 14.8 ppg, G Chris Duhon 7.5 ppg; and C Ben Wallace 6.1 ppg, 10.4 rebs, 2.2 blocks. CHI averages 99 ppg while allowing 95 ppg. ORL averages and allows 94 ppg.
The Magic will try to sweep the season series from CHI. This will be the Bulls' first visit to ORL since opening night NOV 1st when the Magic romped over them 109-94 and everything looked so promising for the Magic. A little over 4 months later, a lot has changed, but a Magic win here could set the stage for perhaps solidifying a playoff spot. GHill will be a game day decision. The Magic are favored by 3 1/2 pts (www.pinnaclesports.com).
CHI is led in scoring by Gordon, averaging 21.4 ppg; F Luol Deng 18.8 pts, 7 rebs; G Kirk Hinrich 16 ppg, 6.1 asts; F Andres Nocioni, who is injured and out indefinitely, 14.8 ppg, G Chris Duhon 7.5 ppg; and C Ben Wallace 6.1 ppg, 10.4 rebs, 2.2 blocks. CHI averages 99 ppg while allowing 95 ppg. ORL averages and allows 94 ppg.
The Magic will try to sweep the season series from CHI. This will be the Bulls' first visit to ORL since opening night NOV 1st when the Magic romped over them 109-94 and everything looked so promising for the Magic. A little over 4 months later, a lot has changed, but a Magic win here could set the stage for perhaps solidifying a playoff spot. GHill will be a game day decision. The Magic are favored by 3 1/2 pts (www.pinnaclesports.com).
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 4:45 AM
3 Comments:
At 11:42 AM,
Big Figure said…
The last time we played the bulls nocioni didnt play,and in my opinion he's the one guy that always kills us,if he doesnt play again tonight i expect it to be a long night for the bulls having to defend against our front line because we can match-up with pretty much everyone else on their roster,bsh must stay big and impose our will against an undersized chicago.
At 4:27 PM,
Matt said…
Jump shooting teams may have an off night, and if they do, they will be pounded as happened to Bulls in Miami. They, however, are an excellent jump shooting and defensive team and will bounce back. Big Figure is absolutely right that they cannot stand the onslaught of our big front-line, and we should never try to match their small ball game.
At 7:18 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
Good comments and analysis, Big Figure and Matt.
Look for the Bulls to use Tyrus Thomas a lot tonight as Skiles really likes the athleticism and enthusiasm he brings to a game.
As long as the Magic use their big front line to their advantage over a smaller Bulls team like in the two previous games against the Bulls, I look for a Magic win here, though it will be close because the Bulls have a lot of pride and will play much better tonight than last night, as Matt pointed out.
Let's say Magic 98, Bulls 95.
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