Magic vs. Bulls
Orlando vs. Chicago
After finally breaking free from the win one, lose one mold, the Magic will set their sights once again on regaining the Eastern Conference's best record. They will have their work cut out for them in catching Boston, who they trail by three games in the loss column (and have played three less games then the Celtics) and Cleveland, who they trail by three games in the loss column. Still they will have to accomplish this feat without Jameer Nelson and will head to Chicago to take on the Bulls Tuesday night.
Nelson was one of the reasons that Orlando (41-14) alternated wins and losses. They went 3-3 through the first six games without him, but were able to finally win two straight for the first time since late January and early February when they defeated Charlotte and, most recently, Miami.
To counter that loss, the Magic picked up Rafer Alston, leading up to the trading deadline. He got off to a sluggish start in his first game against the Bobcats, going 1-of-9 with eight assists and three steals in the 92-80 victory. Sunday he seemed to find his way, scoring 12 points and nine assists in the rout of the Heat 122-99. Three of those assists went to Dwight Howard's stellar 32 points and 17 rebounds.
The Bulls (25-31) have also had an inconsistent stretch, but unlike the Magic, the Bulls did not get off to a tremendous start to have the ability to ride it out. Chicago followed up a two-game winning streak with a 98-91loss to Indiana. In that game, Brad Miller, John Salmons and Tim Thomas made their Chicago debut after being picked up in a trading deadline acquisition. The trio combined for 23 points off the bench in the losing effort.
Ben Gordon scored 28 and has averaged that same amount over his last six games. Although Gordon, like his teammates, have struggled against Orlando. Gordon has averaged only 11.4 points in his last five games against the Magic and the Bulls have dropped six straight to Orlando.
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