2 posts tagged “chicago 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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Los Angeles Lakers -13 vs. Chicago Bulls
The 5-5 Bulls have had an unsteady opening month and now face perhaps the toughest portion of their season as they set out on a grueling seven game road trip. Their first stop is at the NBA's best Los Angeles Lakers.
The Bulls have won two in a row after beating Indiana 104-91. Even though Chicago has had an average and uninspiring start to their season, their prized rookie Derrick Rose has been phenomenal. Rose led the Bulls with 23 points against the Pacers and became the first Chicago rookie since, none other than, Michael Jordan to score double digits in each of his first 10 career games. The rookie is averaging an All-Star like 18.9 points, 5 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. If he continues on this pace, he will match LeBron James mark of 20.9, 5.5 and 5.9 in his rookie year, the only rookie to average above 18 points, five assists and five boards.
Rose has been helped by Ben Gordon, who has played well since replacing an injured Kirk Hinrich. Gordon is averaging 25.5 points per contest, which bodes well for the Bulls since Hinrich is out three months with a thumb injury.
Chicago will look for its first win on the road (0-3) this season as they play in Los Angeles who suffered their first loss of the season Friday night against Detroit. The Lakers (7-1) stellar defense, which largely lead to their perfect start betrayed them against the Pistons. Detroit won 106-95 and the 106 points was by far the most the Lakers have allowed this season, besting the previous high of 99 given up to Dallas earlier this month. The Pistons shot 50.7 percent after the Lakers had been holding teams to 40.2 percent shooting in their previous seven contests.
Kobe Bryant had 29 points, but none of the other starters really got going against Detroit. Pau Gasol had 15 points, but no other starter reached double digits.
Phil Jackson will go up against his original team for the 15th time. The Jackson-led Lakers have beaten the Bulls nine out of 14 times, including five out of seven in L.A. The Lakers have won two straight and four out of five against the Bulls. Chicago's last win in the series came in 2006 at the Staples Center.
