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Alston, Magic look to keep rolling along

Feb 24, 2009 - 11:21 AM Orlando (41-14) at Chicago (25-31) 8:00 p.m. EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- With their new point guard starting to hit his stride, the Orlando Magic are getting back to their dominating ways.

The Magic will be gunning for their third straight win when they face the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

When Jameer Nelson went down with a season-ending shoulder injury before the All-Star break, it left a major hole in Orlando's backcourt.

But the trading deadline brought with it a fine replacement in veteran Rafer Alston, who is just starting to connect with his new teammates. Alston chipped in 12 points and nine assists in his first start since joining the team on Sunday as the Magic cruised to a 122-99 win over the Miami Heat.

Alston drew rave reviews from franchise player Dwight Howard, who finished with 32 points and 17 rebounds against the Heat.

"We were able to get some good looks early, and Rafer did a great job of getting things moving for us," Howard said. "He kept finding me and guys on the outside for a lot of the great looks we got."

The Bulls are also in the process of breaking in some new players, with Brad Miller, John Salmons and Tim Thomas all enjoying their first week in Chicago.

The three all came off the bench on Sunday and combined for 23 points, but the Bulls still fell, 98-91, to the Indiana Pacers.