Magic 121 - 114 Bulls
Final
  for this game

Bulls, Magic square off at United Center

Jan 12, 2015 - 3:36 PM

Video

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Bulls will continue a three-game homestand Monday versus the Orlando Magic at the United Center.

The Bulls opened the residency with Saturday's 95-87 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks and were led by Pau Gasol's career-high 46 points on 17-of-30 shooting. He also grabbed 18 rebounds and made 12-of-13 free throws.

"That was always a good sign for me when I am able to get a good base in the post and finish the first couple of shots," Gasol said. "When the jumper is falling too you know you're on. It was a good overall night."

Kirk Hinrich scored 16 points and Jimmy Butler ended with nine, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Bulls, who ended a two-game slide and won for the 14th time in the last 18 tries.

Bulls guard and former NBA MVP Derrick Rose did not play against Milwaukee because of a sore knee and is day-to-day. Rose is averaging 16.9 points per game this season.

The Bulls are 12-7 at home and will close the stay Wednesday versus Washington.

Orlando will wrap up a four-game road trip (0-3) Monday and has lost six in a row, including Saturday's 103-92 setback against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Nik Vucevic tallied a career-high 34 points and 16 boards, while Victor Oladipo provided 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists for Orlando, which fell to 9-15 on the road this season.

"I think we just stayed the course ... We continued to put ourselves in a position to find success," Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn said.

After the Magic close their trip in the Windy City, they will return home for three straight versus Houston, Memphis and Oklahoma City.

In injury news for Orlando, guard Evan Fournier (knee) and forward Tobias Harris (ankle) are questionable Monday. Harris is second on the team in points scored with 18.0. Vucevic is slightly ahead with 18.4 ppg.

Orlando suffered a 98-90 loss at Chicago on Nov. 4 and Butler led the charge with 21 points. Vucevic collected 19 points and 13 rebounds in that one for the Magic, who have lost 12 of the last 14 games in this series.

The Magic and Bulls will meet again Feb. 8 and April 8.

Chicago has prevailed in four of the past five matchups at home in this series.






Related News