Undermanned Magic shock Bulls in Chicago
Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic scored 33 points apiece as the Orlando Magic surprised the Chicago Bulls 121-114 Monday at the United Center.
The Magic were playing without a big chunk of their offensive production - small forward Tobias Harris and shooting guard Evan Fournier - but managed to hang 121 points on the Bulls by shooting 59 percent in the game.
Pau Gasol was his usual workhorse self for Chicago, putting up 28 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, but he was attacked head-on by Vucevic, including this crowning dunk in the third quarter. Vucevic also had 11 rebounds and leads the NBA this season with 23 double-doubles.
Oladipo's 33 points were two off his career high - set last season in a triple-overtime loss against Jimmy Butler and these very Bulls.
Derrick Rose had 18 points and seven assists in his return from a one-game absence, but backcourt mate Butler was held to 5-of-13 shooting and 17 points.
The Magic win snapped a six-game losing streak, and it was the Bulls' third loss in four contests. Gasol suggested afterwards that Chicago may be in one of those mid-season flat zones.
Gasol: "There was no energy, no aggressiveness, no engagement, no communication. So we have to improve---dramatically."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 13, 2015