• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Eastern heavyweights clash in the Windy City as Bulls host Magic

Jan 28, 2011 - 4:28 PM (Sports Network) - Two of the premier teams in the Eastern Conference collide tonight in the Windy City, where the Chicago Bulls will take on the Orlando Magic at the United Center.

The Bulls have won three in a row and eight of their last 10 games, including Monday's 92-83 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the continuation of a six- game homestand. Kurt Thomas had 22 points and nine rebounds, while Derrick Rose notched 21 points with 10 assists in the win.

"I thought we played hard tonight," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I think the big thing now is we have a couple of practices and a few things to clean up."

Carlos Boozer contributed 14 points and nine rebounds for Chicago, which is 3-1 on the residency and 21-4 at home this season. The Central Division- leading Bulls will also host Indiana on the homestand and have won 16 of the last 18 games at the United Center.

The Bulls are 21-6 over the last 27 overall contests and their 31-14 start is the best since the 1997-98 squad began the year with a 32-13 ledger. Meanwhile, the Bulls are hoping Rose will be able to shake a recent bout of stomach ulcers and a sore back. He is questionable for tonight.

Orlando has won four of five games and recorded a 111-96 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Jason Richardson had 19 points, Dwight Howard also posted 19 points and 16 rebounds and Hedo Turkoglu posted 18 points and six rebounds for the Magic.

"We got off to a good start," said Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy, who recorded his 200th win with the club. "We played a very good first half. We played a very good first eight minutes of the third quarter and then I think we struggled a little bit."

The Magic are 13-10 away from central Florida.

Orlando handed the Bulls a 107-78 setback on Dec. 1 this season at the United Center and has won 12 of the last 15 meetings in the series. The Magic have also won two straight and seven of nine contests at Chicago.