• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Howard, Magic seek 50th win, face Bulls

Apr 13, 2008 - 1:57 PM Orlando (49-30) at Chicago (31-48) 7:00 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Dwight Howard can help the Orlando Magic accomplish something the club hasn't done in 12 years.

Howard and the Magic seek their 50th victory when they face the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

Orlando dropped a 102-101 home decision to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday in its first attempt at the half-century win total.

Howard, who had 20 points and 14 rebounds vs. Minnesota for his 68th double-double of the season, tied Shaquille O'Neal's franchise record in that category which he set in 1992-93.

A first-time All-Star, Howard has averaged 20.7 points and 15.7 boards against Chicago this season, including a 30-point, 14-rebound effort vs. the Bulls in a 115-83 blowout win for the Magic on Wednesday.

After that game, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy expressed how important 50 wins are to his club.

"There's always a level of respect in this league for 50-win teams," Van Gundy said. "It sort of lifts you out of the realm of mediocrity when they say they're a 50-win team. I think our guys quite honestly want that."

The Bulls, who ended a three-game skid with a 100-95 victory over Cleveland on Friday, will miss the postseason for the first time in four years.