Orlando Magic Grades: Chicago Bulls 92, Orlando Magic 87
The Orlando Magic played an ugly affair where the offense did not seem to work and they fell behind to the Chicago Bulls. A comeback nearly salvaged a win.
38. Final. 92. 24. 87
The Orlando Magic trailed by double digits for much of the game on Sunday night at the United Center in Chicago. A somewhat lethargic and unenergized offensive effort led to the ball stagnating and the Magic were not nearly sharp enough defensively.
Orlando then saw itself come alive. The defense throughout the second half was much more determined, and the team stayed within striking distance until Scott Skiles could find the right combination.
He found it at the end of the bench and the Magic offense began erasing the deficit. They got it to within one point on Shabazz Napier‘s floater with about two and a half minutes left.
The Bulls reloaded, put the pressure back on the Magic to match and the Magic took some bad shots and failed to sustain the momentum as the Bulls went on to win.
The Magic disappointingly fall to 0-3 with three golden opportunities to win. The frustration is felts as the team was disappointed with their energy throughout this game.
Another what if moment for this young team.
B+. <p>Tonight was not a great night for offense. So it is notable which player for the Magic was the most consistent and best offensively. That would undoubtedly be <strong><a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER
Orlando Magic. VICTOR OLADIPO. C. <p><strong><a href=. SG
<p>Scott Skiles mixed up his rotation intentionally tonight it seemed. He clearly wanted to take a look at some different combinations and some guys who did not play. That meant some more minutes for <strong><a href=. F/C. Orlando Magic. JASON SMITH. B+
C. <p><strong><a href=. F. Orlando Magic. TOBIAS HARRIS
B-. <p>The Chicago Bulls are still clearly getting their own feet wet with a new head coach much like the Magic. There are still some moments of uncertainty. That might be why the Bulls never quite put the Magic away and their identity is still being formed.</p><p>Chicago ground the game to a halt which benefited the team against Orlando, forcing Orlando to execute almost exclusively in the half court. But the Bulls never found a rhythm either. Nothing they seemed to try in the second half would work consistently.</p><p><strong><a href=. 3-1. 4th Eastern Conference. CHICAGO BULLS