Bulls at Magic
THE STORY: The Chicago Bulls will likely be without star point guard Derrick Rose when they visit the Orlando Magic on Monday. The reigning MVP has missed three consecutive games with a groin injury and isn’t expected to travel with the Bulls on the two-game road swing to Orlando and Toronto. The Magic lost to the Miami Heat on Sunday and have the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. The teams have split two previous meetings this season.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, CS Chicago (Bulls)
ABOUT THE BULLS (37-10): Chicago defeated Philadelphia on Saturday to improve to 9-4 when Rose has been unable to play. C.J. Watson started in Rose’s place and had 20 points for his fourth 20-point outing of the campaign. Watson is playing through an ankle injury. John Lucas once again is receiving more playing time with Rose out but has only 14 points in the past two games after exploding for 24 points in a victory over Miami on Wednesday.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (29-17): Center Dwight Howard has been tough for Chicago to defend. Howard had 29 points and 18 rebounds in a road victory over the Bulls earlier this month and had 28 points and 15 rebounds in a January home loss. Howard averaged 24.3 points and 12.3 rebounds against Chicago last season. Howard had 18 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to Miami for his eighth double-double in nine games. He hit only 4 of 10 free throws and his 48.6 percentage from the line is easily the lowest of his career.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Orlando has won 11 of the last 17 meetings with Chicago.
2. A Chicago victory would make Tom Thibodeau the fastest coach to reach 100 career wins in NBA history. Thibodeau is coaching his 130th game and Avery Johnson reached 100 wins in his 131st game for the Dallas Mavericks.
3. Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu is shooting only 30.2 percent over his last seven games.