CHICAGO, IL- Following a tight 103-107 overtime loss to the Miami Heat on February 11th, the Orlando Magic (24-34, 13th in East) found themselves in another close game on February 14th with the Chicago Bulls. Courtesy of a stellar all-around performance by guard Markelle Fultz and stifling defense, the Magic managed to narrowly edge the Bulls 100-91 for their 24th win of the 2022-2023 season.
With 5:07 left in the fourth quarter, Orlando led Chicago 87-76 following a 13-foot step back jump shot made by 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner Paolo Banchero, but the Bulls quickly closed the lead to six points (94-88 ORL) with 2:50 remaining. From there, the Magic scored six of the game’s final eleven points to secure the nine-point victory, their second win of the season against the Bulls.
“We know what we need to do,” Orlando’s Fultz said. “I think today we did a great job as players, just talking amongst each other and understanding that we’re gonna be in a situation and we’ve got to find a way to get through it. I think that’s what you saw tonight. We just all talked to each other, continued to push each other and not get too frustrated when they got it down to five.”
In just 35 minutes, Fultz recorded 18 points, ten rebounds, and nine assists while shooting 8-15 (%) from the field. It’s also worth noting that Fultz managed to chase down and block Ayo Dosunmu’s layup attempt with 7:10 left in the third quarter, which helped ignite a strong defensive team performance from Orlando.
As it turns out, Orlando held Chicago to 91 points on 35-86 (40.7%) shooting from the field and 3-21 (14.3%) shooting from three-point range, which was the second-lowest scoring output against the Magic during the 2022-2023 season. In addition, Chicago failed to score more than 25 points in any of the four quarters of Monday’s game, including a 21-point first quarter, where the Bulls shot 8-18 (44.4%) from the field and 0-6 (0.0%) from three-point range.
It’s worth noting that Chicago’s shooting struggles have been an extensive problem, even ahead of their game against Orlando. As stated by ESPN’s stats and information, the Bulls have shot 26-125 (20.8%) from three-point range over its past five games, and have gone 1-4 as a result. In reference to their dreadful shooting, Chicago also struggled with keeping possession, committing 16 turnovers as a team.
“I think it’s just normal instinct — let’s just drive the ball in there, let’s drive it to the basket,” Bulls’ head coach Billy Donovan said. “What happened is two times we had charges and a few times we had spray-outs that weren’t there, that weren’t open, that we turned the ball over.”
In 40 minutes, Zach Lavine recorded a team-high 26 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, but shot 9-20 (%) from the field and committed five turnovers. Similar to Lavine, DeMar DeRozan posted a respectable 19 points and six assists, but needed to take 20 shots and also committed five personal fouls. Following the loss, Donovan announced that DeRozan underwent an MRI that revealed a Grade 1 thigh strain, an issue DeRozan claims has been affecting him for over six weeks.
“It’s been bad,” DeRozan said. “I’m never gonna want to complain or make any type of excuses. It’s just been something I’ve been dealing with for a while.”
As it turns out, Coby White was the only Bull to score double-digit points while shooting over 50% from the field (12 points on 5-8 [62.5%] FG shooting). While playing against his former team, Nikola Vucevic managed to post 13 points,13 rebounds, and two steals on 5-11 (%) shooting from the field in 34 minutes, albeit with a -13 box plus/minus.
Outside of Fultz, three other players scored double-digit points for Orlando. To no surprise, 2022 No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero continued his excellent play, recording a team-high 22 points, four rebounds, and three assists on 8-18 () shooting from the field in 35 minutes. Furthermore, 2022 All-Rookie First Team Selection Franz Wagner notched 18 points, three rebounds, and three assists on 7-8 () shooting from the field, while Wendell Carter added 15 points and seven rebounds in his 35th start of the season.
In spite of their win, Orlando’s offense did sputter in Chicago, as the Magic shot 38-81 (46.9%) from the field and 8-27 (29.6%) from three-point range, along with 18 personal fouls and 19 turnovers. Fortunately, the Magic were near perfect from the free-throw line, going 16-19 (84.2%) as a team.
Following their win against the Bulls, the Magic will travel to Scotiabank Arena to play the Raptors (27-31, 9th in East) on February 14th at 7:30 PM Eastern Time. Meanwhile, the Bulls will head to Indiana to prepare to play the Pacers (25-34, 12th in East) at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 15th at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.