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Magic set to visit Bulls in Windy City

Dec 1, 2010 - 4:07 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Bulls are expected to get a boost in the lineup when they play host to the Orlando Magic tonight at the United Center.

Bulls new power forward Carlos Boozer had to put his debut on hold after he fractured the fifth metacarpal on his right hand in early October. Boozer underwent successful surgery and spent the previous six seasons with Utah before signing a reported five-year, $76 million deal with the Bulls.

Last season, Boozer posted 55 double-doubles, good for third best in the league, and was one of 10 players league-wide who averaged a double-double, as he put up 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds in 78 games.

Chicago could use Boozer's help inside and more depth in its lineup. His presence should benefit big men Joakim Noah and Luol Deng, and not to mention star point guard Derrick Rose. Rose scored 30 points in Saturday's 96-85 victory in Sacramento for the Bulls, who rallied from a 16-point deficit and completed their circus road trip with a 4-3 mark. It was the first time they recorded a ledger of .500 or better on the annual trek since Michael Jordan's last season with the team in 1997-98.

Deng added 22 points, including 13 as the defensive-minded Bulls outscored Sacramento, 27-9, in the fourth quarter.

"We definitely have the identity of our coach. I think he is probably the hungriest guy I've ever been around in terms of coaching," Noah stated on NBA.com. "Ever since the summer, the guy is in the gym all day. He is hungry, he wants to win so bad."

The Bulls are an impressive 5-1 in the Windy City this season. Forward Taj Gibson (foot) and guard C.J. Watson (finger) are both probable for tonight.

Orlando, meanwhile, will hit the road for three games starting with tonight's matchup against the Bulls.

Orlando is 4-2 away from home and will also make stops in Detroit and Milwaukee. It has won four in a row overall and eight of the past nine games, including Tuesday's 90-79 victory versus the Pistons at Amway Center.

Rashard Lewis scored 20 points, Vince Carter and Mickael Pietrus netted 13 apiece and All-Star Dwight Howard recorded nine points and 14 boards in the win.

"I thought we finished the game extremely well," said Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy. "It took us a long time to get going tonight. We struggled shooting the ball for a while, but, generally if you keep taking good shots we're going to hit a stretch somewhere in the game where we get on a bit of a roll."

The Magic took two of three meetings with Chicago a season ago and have won 12 of the last 16 contests in this series.