Game night preview
ORLANDO MAGIC at CHICAGO BULLS
Saturday, Jan. 2. 8:00 p.m.
United Center
Chicago, IL
The Orlando Magic (24-8, 11-5 road) close out their three-game week when they visit the Chicago Bulls (13-17, 10-6 home) on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Orlando has had its share of success against Chicago,
winning 10 of its last 13 matchups with the Bulls. Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard did damage against Chicago last season, averaging 19.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in their four meetings with the Bulls. Although Orlando owns a clear advantage on the interior, it will need to slow down the Bulls’ potent backcourt of Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich in order to leave Chicago with a victory. “He’s a good point guard,” Magic All-Star forward Rashard Lewis said of Rose earlier this season. “He’s explosive and strong around the rim. He can get into the paint and he’s a great finisher as well as a good passer. He’s going to be a great point guard in the league for a long time and he’s somebody you most definitely have to pay attention to.”| Team | Record | Standings | PF | PA | Road/Home | Streak | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 24-8 | 1st Southeast / 2nd East | 101.9 | 95.7 | Road 11-5 | Won 2 | 7-3 |
| Chicago | 13-17 | 2nd Central / 7th East | 91.7 | 97.3 | Home 10-6 | Won 3 | 6-4 |
Here is the complete preview from Yahoo! Sports.
The Magic are 3 point favorites.
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 5:13 PM
1 Comments:
At 5:30 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
This will not be an easy game tonight for the Magic. Bulls have played a lot better after suffering the embarrassment of blowing a 35 point second half lead to Sacramento last week.
Bulls are 3-0 since the return of Tyrus Thomas, and with Kirk Hinrich in the starting lineup in place of John Salmons. Derrick Rose is playing much better also, as his ankle injury that bothered him for a while is now healed.
It's going to be asking a lot of Jameer Nelson to keep up with Rose defensively.
Joakim Noah is a prime candidate for Most Improved Player. He has grabbed at least 7 rebounds in every game except one, and had totals of 15 points and 21 rebounds against Detroit Thursday.
Of course, the Magic are still unquestionably the better team. Hopefully, they can show it on the court.
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