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Quick start helps Magic throttle Bulls

Dec 31, 2008 - 10:44 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Orlando Magic got back in the win column against one of their favorite opponents.

Rashard Lewis scored 21 points as the Magic jumped out to a big early lead en route to punishing the Chicago Bulls, 113-94, on Wednesday.

Hedo Turkoglu scored 18 points and Dwight Howard added 15 and 14 rebounds as Orlando bounced back from a six-point loss to Detroit on Monday that snapped its seven-game winning streak.

The Magic, who have not dropped back-to-back games since losing the first two games of the season, raced to a 30-12 lead and never were threatened in beating the Bulls for the sixth straight time.

"I thought we played a very good first half," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We then held our own in the third. Much better then we did the other night in New Orleans with a 30-point lead. We gave them a 7-0 lead at the end of the game, but I guess that's something we had to expect."

Orlando shot an identical 12-of-22 (54.5 percent) in each of the first two quarters in rolling to a 65-38 halftime advantage.

"We dug ourselves a hold from the very beginning of the game," Bulls guard Ben Gordon said. "It seemed like we weren't in it early in the game and it carried on throughout the game."

Seven players scored in double figures for the Magic, with Marcin Gortat contributing 14 points and rookie Courtney Lee adding 12.

Orlando also manhandled the Bulls on the glass, holding a 48-38 advantage. Howard had a double-double in the first half alone.

"If he's not the best player in the league he's certainly one of the best," Gordon said. "One of the things that makes him so tough is that he takes so much attention away from their shooters. He clogs up the lane and you have to account for him."

Luol Deng missed his third game in a row with a sprained ankle while Drew Gooden sat out his sixth straight game, although he was active, for the shorthanded Bulls.

When teams are down three players like them tonight, that is what you're supposed to do when they're down," Van Gundy said. "We knew we had to play well because this team has won even with there shorthandedness."

Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro, however, was not interested in lamenting his team's injuries.

"The most disappointing thing today is that there was a game today," Del Negro said. "From the get-go, they jumped on us early. They're obviously one of the most talented teams you're going to see, with Howard up front and their shooters that spread you out. That's why they are 25-7."

Joakim Noah had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Gordon scored 18 points for Chicago, which was returning home after snapping a three-game losing streak at New Jersey on Monday.

Bulls rookie point guard Derrick Rose managed 11 points but he did not have an assist and committed three turnovers.

"He's a great young player and only going to get better," Magic guard Jameer Nelson said. "He has everything needed to be a great player."