Bulls' reserves pave way to big win over Magic
Timing is everything in the NBA.
And the Bulls caught Orlando at exactly the right time Friday night, less than 24 hours after the Magic pulled off an emotional 24-point comeback victory at Miami.
The right night still counts for a quality win.
The Bulls (42-18) bounced back from Wednesday's disappointing loss at Atlanta by revving up the defense and riding the bench to an impressive 89-81 victory over the Magic at the brand-new Amway Center.
This win sets up a showdown against the 43-19 Heat, No. 2 in the East, on Sunday afternoon in South Beach.
“Just staying solid, that was the biggest thing,” Derrick Rose told reporters after the game. “When we got the lead, we just wanted to keep it. They're a great team and can easily come back with the way they shoot 3s.”
Rose led the Bulls with 24 points and Luol Deng added 16, but the reserves were the biggest stars.
Center Omer Asik stepped in when Joakim Noah got into foul trouble and grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds. He also helped limit Orlando center Dwight Howard to 20 points.
Howard committed 7 turnovers, missed 8 free throws and earned a technical foul for swinging his elbows at Kyle Korver. It was Howard's 16th technical this season, which should result in a one-game suspension.
The Bulls piled up a 50-30 rebounding advantage, including 17-5 on the offensive glass.
“Omer was great, from his individual post defense to his rebounding, shot-blocking,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Offensively, he helps you execute. He sets great screens. He keeps the ball moving. He gets you extra possessions.”
The rookie from Turkey has consistently declined to speak on the record with reporters this season, but he's saying plenty on the court.
“Not only his shot-blocking, but his lane intimidation; his ability to go up and not foul and make guys finish over him,” Thibodeau said of Asik. “I think it's a testament to his work and his drive. At the beginning of the year, those were fouls. Now he's learned to pull his hands back. He's jumping straight up. He's a hard guy to score over.”
Korver (10 points) knocked down 3 clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Ronnie Brewer scored just 4 points, but the Bulls outscored the Magic by 22 when he was on the floor.
The Bulls improved to 16-14 away from home. But they hadn't pulled off a road win against one of the NBA's elite teams since Nov. 19 at Dallas.
The biggest difference in this game was the Bulls outscoring Orlando 28-14 in the second quarter. The Magic (40-23) took an early 9-3 lead, but late in the first quarter, Asik, Brewer and Taj Gibson checked in and the game changed completely.
First, the Bulls erased a 6-point deficit before the quarter ended. Then the Magic went scoreless for 4½ minutes in the middle of the second quarter while Carlos Boozer was the only Bulls starter on the floor.
C.J. Watson knocked down consecutive 3-point baskets to complete a 27-8 run and send the visitors ahead 40-27 with 4:31 left in the first half.
The lead peaked at 16 points early in the third quarter. Orlando got as close as 59-54 after Ryan Anderson knocked down a 3-pointer. But the Bulls responded with baskets by Deng, Brewer and Rose to stretch the advantage back to 11. The Magic never got closer than 7 points in the fourth quarter.
Rasual Butler, the Bulls' newest addition, was inactive Friday after participating in just one practice with his new team.