Magic at Bulls
The Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic each entered the season having to fill a huge void and trying to replace their most indispensible player, respectively. And while it's a tiny sample, the Magic are off to an impressive 2-0 start despite an overhauled roster and the absence of superstar center Dwight Howard, who was sent packing in a four-team blockbuster deal in the offseason. Orlando will be without one starter (Hedo Turkoglu, broken hand) and possibly another in point guard Jameer Nelson as it faces its first road test against the Bulls.
Without injured floor leader and 2010-11 MVP Derrick Rose, Chicago can expect to suffer from inconsistent play, particularly at the offensive end. That was more than evident in the Bulls' two weekend games, when they shot a blistering 63.8 percent in a blowout win at Cleveland, only to return home the next night and go down meekly in an 89-82 loss to a New Orleans squad playing without No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis. The lackluster effort caused Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau to bench three of his starters in the fourth quarter.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Orlando). Comcast SportsNet Chicago
ABOUT THE MAGIC (2-0): Glen "Big Baby" Davis got his chance to start in the final month last season when Howard was injured and he has carried over the strong play into this season. Davis is off to a fast start, averaging 25.5 points and 9.0 rebounds, and his contributions will be key after Orlando's depth at forward was depleted by Turkoglu's broken hand. Davis cited the Magic's team play after erasing a 14-point deficit vs. Phoenix. "It's a team. It's a great feeling when the team comes together and wins in spite of (its shortcomings)," Davis said.
ABOUT THE BULLS (2-1): There's no secret why Chicago fell to the Hornets after three starters - Richard Hamilton, Carlos Boozer and Kirk Hinrich - combined for only 10 points. The bench was a bright spot, led by veteran backup point guard Nate Robinson, who took advantage of increased playing time on the weekend to score 31 points in the two games. The 5-foot-9 Robinson, a former NBA Slam Dunk champion, is also averaging 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists and is one of only two Chicago players not on the negative side in the plus-minus categeory.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Bulls have won five of the last six meetings with Orlando, but the lone loss was in Chicago on March 8, 2012.
2. Guard J.J. Redick has provided instant offense off the bench for the Magic, averaging 22.5 points on 16-of-25 shooting.
3. Boozer averaged 23.3 points in three games against Orlando last season.