Magic in the air as Bulls beaten
CHICAGO: The Orlando Magic quickly bounced back to its best with a 113-94 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, posting its eighth win in nine NBA games.
Having seen its seven-game winning streak end at Detroit on Monday, the Magic were on top of the Bulls early and went on to record a win that stretched its lead in the Southeast Division to 3-1/2 games.
Rashard Lewis set the tone by scoring 16 of his 21 points in the first half.
Hedo Turkoglu added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Dwight Howard had 15 points and 14 rebounds for Orlando, who took a commanding 65-38 lead at halftime on Lewis' 16 points.
Chicago shot just 42 per cent.
Rockets 85, Bucks 81
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Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee (right) goes up for a shot against Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah during the fourth quarter of their NBA game in Chicago on Wednesday. AP |
In Houston, the home team notched its eighth successive win over Milwaukee.
Yao Ming had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way for the Rockets, who responded to an embarrassing loss at lowly Washington on Monday.
The Bucks have lost nine consecutive games in Houston.
Pistons 83, Nets 75
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, an undermanned Detroit prevailed over New Jersey in a defensive struggle.
Allen Iverson scored 19 points to top the points for the Pistons, who won a fifth straight game.
Both teams lost key players during the game. New Jersey's Vince Carter was ejected for arguing a second-quarter call and Rasheed Wallace sat out the second half with a foot injury.
Detroit's Richard Hamilton (groin) missed his third straight game, and Antonio McDyess sat out after injuring his ribs Monday.
It was the Nets' lowest score of the season.
Nuggets 114, Raptors 107
In Toronto, Denver coach George Karl brought up his 900th regular-season victory as the Nuggets downed Toronto.
Nene scored 21 points to lead the Nuggets.
76ers 100, Clippers 92
In Los Angeles, Philadelphia held off Los Angeles to snap a four-game losing streak.
Andre Iguodala had 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Sixers.
The Clippers tied the game with 3-1/2 minutes remaining but could not keep it up and lost their fifth successive game.
Thunder 107, Warriors 100
In Oklahoma City, the home team notched just the fourth win of its miserable debut season, defeating Golden State.
Jeff Green scored 26 points, including 18 in the second half, and Kevin Durant added 25 in recording his fifth double-double of the season, adding 10 rebounds.
Golden State shot 54 percent from the field in the opening half, but failed to make a field goal in the first five minutes of the third quarter, allowing Oklahoma City to take control of the game.
Agencies
(China Daily 01/02/2009 page12)
