Bulls 94 , Magic 99 — FINAL
Dwight Howard went off for 29 points and 17 rebounds as he won what may very well be his last game inside the United Center as a member of the Orlando Magic. The loss snapped an eight game winning streak for the Bulls and proves the Magic do have what it takes to compete — a storyline that will only get more interesting as the trade deadline approaches.
Like last night, the game was a tight one that went down to the wire. But unlike last night it was a playoff caliber opponent and players that usually glide by on their bald looks stepped up.
That’s a direct reference to Carlos Boozer who busted off his chain Thursday going for 26 points and 7 rebounds.
Boozer has been oft criticized during his time in Chicago and his bi-polar numbers and play hasn’t helped calm the storm. But instead of getting outplayed by Taj Gibson, Boozer joined forces with his backup as the two had incredible nights.
But unlike last night, the Bulls didn’t pull it out. They tied the game in the fourth, but only led twice and allowed a Magic team that is known for blowing leads, to close out and give Dwight Howard a win in what is very likely his last game against the Bulls as a Magic.
The Bulls trailed by as much as 18 at one point in the game. But the Magic had been notorious for blowing huge leads late, and the Bulls are notorious for closing out and coming back in big games late. The combination led to the events of Thursday night that saw Derrick Rose bust out the cartoonish contortions of his body to make driving buckets and get the Bulls into the game.
The packed crowd inside the United Center fully got behind Rose, chanting MVP every time he dribbled the ball or stepped up to to the free throw line.
Credit is also due here in sparking the Bulls as he was electric in the fourth to get the Bulls back into the game and handed the reigns over to the Windy City Assassin who did what he does best.
The Magic were characteristically themselves, imploding late. Hedo Turkoglu was called for a technical foul late which allowed the Bulls to tie the game. A traveling call on Orlando gave the Bulls the ball back and Chicago took the lead for just the second time all game on that possession.
But Chicago allowed the Magic to stroke it from three point range however, a stat that ending up being telling. The Magic were 11-21 from beyond the arc on the night, going on a 7-0 run with under a minute left in the game.
The Bulls defense was sluggish from a horrible night against the Bucks. They couldn’t defend on the perimeter and really struggled there on offense. Kyle Korver missed numerous three — most of which were wide open looks– and Derrick Rose even struggled going just 2-6 from beyond the arc and 6-22 form the field.
The Bulls get Friday off before welcoming in the Utah Jazz in the second game of this home stand. The big game is Monday, Latin Night in Chicago, as the Bulls have the Jeremy Lin led Knicks into town.
Next 3 Games
Date |
Team
Time
TV
3/10
Vs. Jazz
7pm
WGN
3/12
Vs. Knicks
7pm
ESPN
3/14
Vs. Heat
7pm
ESPN