Magic Survive Bulls Fourth Quarter Stampede Win 96-93

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The Orlando Magic came on strong in the first quarter, and held on against a strong fourth quarter by their opponents the Chicago Bulls Monday night as they defeated the Bulls 96-93. Magic center Dwight Howard and forward Rashard Lewis both came big as each recorded a double-double in the victory.

Orlando came out of the gate smoking as they held a 31-21 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Chicago made up ground during the second quarter, as they cut their deficit to just 3 points at the half, the Magic leading 50-47. Orlando appeared to be running away with the game in the third. Jameer Nelson gave the Magic a 16 point lead at 73-57 as he hit an outside jumper with just under 3:00 in the period.

The Bulls pulled themselves back into the contest by the end of the quarter, as they ended the period on an 11-2 run. Heading into the final 12 minutes, Orlando was on top 76-68. The Bulls had one more run left in them and it came late in the fourth quarter. Jameer Nelson hit two at the charity stripe for Orlando giving them a 93-83 lead with 3:16 left in regulation. Chicago would cut that gap to just 1 point, as Ben Gordon hit a jumper making it a 93-92 contest with 23 seconds left in the contest. But the Magic held steady, and would walk away with the win.

Howard scored 22 points, grabbed 15 boards, 5 blocks, 1 steal, 1 assist. Lewis would score 21 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, in the Orlando victory. A pair of players scored 13 points each, Jameer Nelson had 13 points, 3 steals, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, Keith Bogans came off the bench and scored 13, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Hedo Tukoglu scored 10 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, Mickael Pietrus also scored 10 points, 1 block, 1 steal.

Chicago was led by forward Drew Gooden as he scored 21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal. Andres Nocioni came in off the bench and scored 20 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, Ben Gordon still playing as a reserve scored 17 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal. (With Larry Hughes hurt why isn’t Gordon starting for Chicago?) The rook, Derrick Rose continues to impress as he scored 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist. Both teams now have identical 2-2 marks in the young NBA season.

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