ORLANDO, FL – The Orlando Magic took advantage of the shirt handed Chicago Bulls with a thrilling 155-94 win at the Amway Center on Sunday night.
Moritz Wagner was a key scorer for Orlando off of the bench with 23 points with emphatic dunks and energy. Jalen Suggs made some more noise with poised plan and an explosive posterizing of DeMar DeRozan.
The Bulls, who lead the NBA Eastern Conference, where without the super athletic Zac Levine, point guard Lonzo Ball, and their glue guy Alex Caruso (formerly of the Lakers, who are struggling to function without him).
Notably, DeRozan had a great game, scoring a game high 41 points and leading the Bulls along with Coby White, who scored 22.
Nikola Vucevic returned to Orlando for the second time this season and apparently liked the home cooling, because he scored 1 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
Chicago’s poppy play contributed to the loss, with 22 turnovers that lead to 24 Orlando points.
Orlando also got hot from behind the arc, shooting 46% from 3, keeping them in control of the game. The Bulls could only manage 24% from deep, on 5 of 21 from deep.
Orlando, playing without Terrance Ross (Knee) and Gary Harris (Back spasms), got contributions from most of the roster. 7 Orlando players scored in double digits, notably Wendell Carter Jr, who scored 19 pts with 7 rebounds on 8 of 12 shooting.
Orlando, who have owned the worst record in the NBA, played with confidence, commanding the court with Cole Anthony at the help. Suggs’ confidence grows more and more each game since returning to the team after thumb surgery this month.
The Magic face off against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando, FL.
