Boozer's Bulls debut does little to slow Magic

Late in Wednesday night's game at the United Center, fans were calling for Carlos Boozer to re-enter the game.

Wait, check that. Fans actually were booing the Bulls on the night of Boozer's debut.

The promise of a brighter future quickly gave way to the reality of another beat down by the Orlando Magic. The Bulls were pummeled 107-78, their fourth straight loss by at least 20 points to the Magic, including preseason.

“We got beat, bad,” Boozer said after producing 5 points and 2 rebounds in 22 minutes. “I think our team is a lot better than we showed tonight.”

The first home game after a long road trip is often blamed for sluggish performances in the NBA, so it wasn't a great time to work a new teammate into the lineup. Before the contest, Derrick Rose was prepared for what might happen.

“Don't go out there assuming everything's going to be perfect,” he said. “Our timing will probably be off.”

More than the timing was off in this game, as it turned out.

The Bulls (9-7) didn't guard the paint, couldn't grab a rebound, and left dozens of Orlando shooters wide open at the 3-point line.

Even worse, they managed to set a franchise low for rebounds in a game with just 21. The Bulls were beaten on the boards 44-21 as a team, while center Joakim Noah finished with no rebounds, 13.2 below his season average.

“There are a lot of things to clean up,” Noah said. “It just shows that we've got a long way to go. It feels great to have (Boozer) back, but this is a process and we've just got to keep grinding and keep getting better.”

After six seasons in Utah, Boozer jumped to the Bulls as a free agent in July, signing a five-year deal worth an estimated $75 million. He suffered a broken right hand during an accident at his home Oct. 2, before getting a chance to play a preseason game.

He returned to practice full time Monday and wore a padded glove on his right hand but said the injury was no factor Wednesday. Even when Magic guard Jameer Nelson reached in and swiped the injured hand, Boozer voiced no concerns.

“The hand felt fine,” Boozer said. “Looking back on it, I feel (rusty) now. But I didn't feel bad out there. I felt like my legs were good, my wind was good. I just didn't do too many good things out there, didn't get a lot of rebounds.

“I would say the first four or five minutes, the game was a lot faster than what our practices were for me, so it took me a little bit of time to adjust to it.”

The Bulls didn't stay in this game for very long. Their last lead was 8-7, and Orlando pushed the advantage past 20 points before the second quarter was over. The Bulls never pulled closer than 16 points in the second half.

During the opening two quarters, the Bulls were outscored at the foul line 17-3 and beaten in points in the paint 26-14 and on second-chance points 14-6.

Vince Carter scored 20 of his 22 points before halftime. Nelson also was a problem, producing 24 points and 9 assists.

The Magic (14-4) had success spreading the floor, then attacking the basket after a high screen-and-roll. The visitors also knocked down 10 of 21 shots from 3-point range.

“The way we started the game led to our demise,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We gave them too many easy second-chance opportunities. We were not making quick decisions, which you have to do against this team. We were holding on to the ball too long. We allowed their defense to get set and settled for tough shots.”

Noah led the Bulls with 16 points, while Rose scored 15 and Taj Gibson had 10 off the bench. After a day off, the Bulls have another tough contest Friday in Boston.

“We've just got to get used to playing with each other,” Rose said after the game. “I knew it wasn't going to be pretty or anything. Right when we get our connections going, I think we'll be all right.”

<p><b>Mike McGraw's game tracker </b></p>

<p><b>No magic formula:</b> Let's count the issues in this contest it was the first home game after a two-week road trip; the Bulls were playing for the first time with a new teammate, against an opponent that has buried them often. Maybe that doesn't excuse a 29-point loss, but it helps the explanation.</p>

<p><b>Small numbers: </b>Carlos Boozer had 5 points and 2 rebounds in his Bulls debut. Even worse, his new team set a franchise low with 21 rebounds, while teammate Joakim Noah didn't get any.</p>

<p><b>Feel the Heat: </b>Sarcastic Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy after the game: “How did the Heat do? Is everybody happy there? That's the only thing that will be on ESPN tomorrow, LeBron (James) back in Cleveland.”</p>