Sunday, April 13, 2008

Tonight's Game: Magic @ Bulls


Magic (49-30) vs. Bulls (31-48)

United Center
Sun Sports
7 PM

Probable Lineups:
Howard C Noah
Lewis PF Thomas
Turkoglu SF Deng
Evans SG Hughes
Nelson PG Hinrich


The last time the Orlando Magic swept a season series from Chicago, the Bulls were on their way to finishing 40 games under .500.

While Chicago’s record may not be that bad this season, it’s still winding a disappointing campaign.

Orlando looks to complete its perfect season against the Bulls when the teams meet on Sunday at the United Center.

The Magic (49-30) have outscored Chicago (31-48) by 16.0 points in winning all three matchups this season, and are trying to go unbeaten against the Bulls in a single season for the first time since going 3-0 in 2001-02.

Chicago went 21-61 that season, one of six straight without a playoff appearance after winning three consecutive NBA titles. The Bulls returned to the postseason in 2004-05 and made it three years in a row before stumbling this season.

Orlando, meanwhile, is in the playoffs for the second straight season after wrapping up the Southeast Division - the franchise’s first division title since the 1995-96 season - and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Magic, though, are struggling as the postseason approaches. They’ve gone 5-6 since clinching a playoff spot, including a 102-101 home loss to lowly Minnesota on Friday.

“There’s some troubling things that I don’t like at all,” coach Stan Van Gundy said. “But I would say that myself and my assistant coaches are the only ones concerned. I don’t think our players are real concerned about it.”

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