Magic 99, Bulls 94
MAGIC 99, BULLS 94: Dwight Howard scored 29 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to help visiting Orlando snap a four-game losing skid versus Chicago.
Howard pulled an alley-oop toss from Jameer Nelson out of the rafters, part of a 10-3 run from the Magic to close out the game. He added three blocks and recorded his 33rd double-double of the season.
Orlando shot 75 percent in the first quarter and built an 18-point lead before holding off a comeback to snap the Bulls' eight-game winning streak.
Chicago grabbed its first lead of the game 67-66 on a pick-and-pop from Carlos Boozer at the 4:35 mark of the third quarter.
Boozer finished with 26 points and hit seven of his 12 buckets from outside the key.
Jason Richardson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to help Orlando close the third quarter on a 13-4 run. He scored 18 points before suffering an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter.
Derrick Rose, who averaged 26.5 points in his last four games against Orlando, shot 6 of 22 from the field and finished with 17 points and nine assists.
Taj Gibson scored 14 points off the bench for the Bulls. Chicago’s reserves outscored Orlando’s bench 34-19.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Rose closed out the half with a 26-foot 3-pointer on the run. …Orlando’s six first-quarter 3-pointers were a season high in a quarter. … Orlando’s 37 first-quarter points were the most allowed by Chicago in any quarter this season. … Orlando leads the all-time season series versus Chicago 42-41.