<div align="center"> <font color="DarkRed">Chicago Bulls (1-0)</font> at <font color="DarkBlue">Orlando Magic </font> Game Two: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 6:00pm at Magic TV: CSN-Chicago, NBALP <font size=""1""> Fresh off their trashing of the defending NBA champions, the Bulls head on a short flight across the state to face the other Florida team, the Orlando Magic. While the Bulls will surely be on an emotional high, it remains to be seen whether it will work in their favor, or cause a let down which they will not be able to recover from. The Bulls defense lived up to the hype holding the Heat to 66 points in the season opener, now can it continue it‘s excellent play against an upstart Magic team. Bulls….Magic……it‘s going down!</font> </div> [div=50%] <font size=""1""> <font color="DarkBlue">Orlando Magic</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""darkblue"">PG</font>- Jameer Nelson <font color=""darkblue"">SG</font>- Grant Hill <font color=""darkblue"">SF</font>- Hedo Turkoglu <font color=""darkblue"">PF</font>- Tony Battie <font color=""darkblue"">C</font>- Dwight Howard</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Brian Hill</font> <font size="3">Season Stats</font> Leading Scorer: Dwight Howard - 15.8 PPG Leading Rebounder: Dwight Howard- 12.5 RPG Assist Man: Jameer Nelson - 4.9 APG The 'X' Factor: Grant Hill (15.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.3 APG) [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jameer_nelson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkblue">Jameer Nelson </font> PPG: 14.6, RPG: 2.9, APG: 4.9 The Philadelphia born point guard, Jameer Nelson has been a underdog his entire life. From having doubters say that because of his size he would never play college ball, to people saying he was too short to ever be a factor in the NBA. However, through it all Nelson has let his game do the talking. Now two years into his NBA career Nelson, along side Howard, is the apparent future of a talented young Orlando Magic squad. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/grant_hill.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkBlue">Grant Hill </font> PPG: 15.1, RPG: 3.8, APG: 2.3 Grant Hill once upon a time, was deemed the future of the NBA by major basketball magazines such as ESPN and Slam. However, injuries have taken his once promising future and all but ended his career. Hill has had only one healthy season in the past four years in Orlando. He has under gone several surgeries, and has fallen from grace among the NBA elite. However, Hill still believes he can make one last come back and help the Magic reach a Plato they have not gone to the past three seasons, the NBA playoffs. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/hedo_turkoglu.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkBlue">Hedo Turkoglu </font> PPG: 14.9, RPG: 4.3, APG: 2.8 A charter member of the NBA’s all underrated team, Hedo Turkoglu has witnessed it all throughout his career. He has gone from being a prominent part of a championship caliber rotation in Sacramento, to sitting at the end of the bench, to reviving his career as a Magic. Hedo has shown his worth these past couple of years in Orlando. Last season he averaged a career high in points, rebounds, and assists. With the development of Dwight Howard, things just keep getting better for Hedo. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tony_battie.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkBlue">Tony Battie</font> PPG: 7.9, RPG: 5.6, APG: 0.6 At age 31 Battie has taken on the role of elder statesman on this Magic squad. Throughout his career Battie has been known for his leadership and being basically the good solider who will mentor the younger players. For this young team to succeed this season, and reach their goal Battie will need to bring that leadership he is so well known for night in and night out. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/dwight_howard.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkblue">Dwight Howard </font> PPG:15.8, RPG: 12.5, APG: 1.5 The future of the big man position, the daily double, whatever you call him the fact remains, Dwight Howard is a bad man. Howard has improved by leaps and bounds since entering the league as a rookie merely two seasons ago. He led the league in rebounding last season, as well as set a consecutive double double margin that no one even came close to matching last year. For the Magic to even have a shot tonight against the Bulls Dwight Howard will need to bring his A game. However, it’s easier said then done as he will be going against the best interior defense in the league. [/div] <font color="Darkred"> Chicago Bulls</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""DarkRed"">PG</font>- Kirk Hinrich <font color=""DarkRed"">SG</font>- Ben Gordon <font color=""DarkRed"">SF</font>- Luol Deng <font color=""DarkRed"">PF</font>- PJ Brown <font color=""DarkRed"">C</font>- Ben Wallace</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Scott Skiles</font> <font size="3">Season Stats</font> Leading Scorer: Kirk Hinrich- 26.0 PPG Leading Rebounder: Ben Wallace-11.0 RPG Assist Man: Kirk Hinrich- 3.0 APG The 'X' Factor: Luol Deng (12.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.0 APG) [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kirk_hinrich.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Kirk Hinrich</font> PPG: 26.0, RPG: 4.0, APG: 3.0 Kirk Hinrich became a very happy man yesterday, inking a five year 46 million dollar extension to remain a Bull. Obviously, Hinrich felt it was necessary to begin living up to that deal as soon as possible, so what did he do? He went out and dropped 26 points in 34 minutes of action against the NBA champion Miami Heat. Hinrich will look to further build on his success against the undersized Jameer Nelson tonight. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_gordon.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Ben Gordon</font> PPG: 6.0 PPG, RPG: 1.0, APG: 1.0 Ben Gordon struggled mildly against the Heat last night, so you can be sure he will be looking to get his tonight against Orlando. Orlando will have a tough time defending the always dangerous Ben Gordon after losing their best perimeter defender in the off-season (Stevenson) via free agency. Gordon has been known for slow starts throughout his short career. Hopefully, he can pick his game up sooner as opposed to later. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luol_deng.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Luol Deng</font> PPG: 12.0, RPG: 2.0, APG: 1.0 Luol Deng had an impressive debut to his season last night as he torched Miami for 12 points in a mere 24 minutes. Deng was active all night on both sides of the court, and showed that explosiveness that have people so high on him, with a thunderous dunk in the first half. The acquisition of Wallace has allowed the Bulls to become a fast break machine, and Deng has thrived off of that. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/pj_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">PJ Brown</font> PPG: 4.0, RPG: 3.0, APG: 1.0 PJ Brown did what he was asked to do against Miami last night. In 18 minutes of action Brown was able to connect on 50% of his field goals and finish the night with four points and three rebounds. What he provided that does not show up on the stat sheet however is incredible defensive awareness in the post and the ability to change opponents shots. With the win well in hand and a back to back on the schedule Skiles rested Brown much of the second half, so he should be fresh going against Orlando tonight. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_wallace.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Ben Wallace</font> PPG: 5.0, RPG:11.0, APG: 2.0 Big Ben redeemed himself for his embarrassing play against O’Neal last year in the ECF. Wallace was able to hold O’Neal to a mere seven points while shooting 30% from the field. Wallace also showed he has improved in a different area of his game, free throw shooting. Although, he only attempted on free throw during the contest the result was surprisingly all net. There is no rest for Big Ben after facing the most dominant player in the league for the last decade last night, he will face the player who many believe will be the most dominant player in the league for the next decade at the center position. </font> <div align="center"> </div> <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Fast Break Points</font></font> <font size=""1"">the Bulls ran the Heat like crazy last night in South Beach scoring 21 fast break points against the defending champs while limiting them to a mere six. The Bulls new found ability to control the glass has opened up new facets to the Bulls offense that in seasons prior was only a wild dream. Can they continue to play this crisp style of offense?</font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Defense</font></font> <font size=""1""> the Bulls showed last night that they can score with the best. However, they also showed that what makes them an elite team is there ability to score, then get back and lockdown the opponent on the defensive side of the ball. The Bulls will need the same type of defensive effort from their bigs in order to come out of Orlando with a win tonight. </font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Don’t suffer a let down</font></font> <font size=""1""> the Bulls cannot afford to come into Orlando still thinking about their win in Miami. The Magic squad will jump on them early and keep the pressure on all night if the Bulls don‘t have there head in the game from start to finish. One of the major problems the Bulls suffered through last year was falling behind early. They cannot do that tonight.. </font>[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Bench Scoring</font></font> <font size=""1""> With 49 points from their bench last night the Bulls will be sure to rely heavily on the bench for a boast on the offensive end of the court tonight. Against a Magic squad in which four players, in the starting lineup, average double figure points, the Bulls will need ever point they can get.</font>[/list] <div align="center"></div> <font size="1">The Bulls made a statement to the league yesterday with their domination of the defending champs. Tonight they need to make a statement to the eastern conference that they can beat anyone that stands in front of them, and that last night was not just a one time thing. With 12 of their first 14 games on the road the Bulls will need every win they can get. To be an elite team you have to beat the teams your suppose to. Bulls by ten.</font>
Fats break points?? The good thing about Scott Skiles is that he won't let the team worry about the game against Miami and keep them focused on future opponents. I predict the Bulls by about 10 as well.
I think the key to this is Ben Wallace tonight. He (and whoever else guards him) has to shut down Howard the way he shut down Shaq. If we can limit Howards effectiveness and force the guards to beat us, I think we can win this one easily. I see Hinrich having another big night against an undersized Nelson and I see Gordon going off on Grant Hill tonight, using his quickness to get by him and get off some higher percentage shots.
Stopping Howard is something that has to be done in order to win tonight but I feel that Ben's got the kid's number. P.S. you might have noticed or not that Tyrus won't play tonight because he's getting fit for a mask because of his broken nose.
I'm thinking it's gonna be a really good game. Just don't plan on winning by 42 and getting 100+ points again.
<div class="quote_poster">I-Miss-MJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">We're aiming for 150+ and a 60 point win. </div> Guess I kinda walked into that one. I'm thinking a 10-15 point game that could go either way.
This is ridiculous. How can you stop a team that's shooting 67%? O well there's still a whole other half
I'm not able to watch the game, but I want to know from a Bulls fans perspective are the Magic just hitting everything or is the Bulls defense leaving the Magic open? Magic traditionally tend to lay up on the Bulls after jumping out to an early lead. We normally do jump up fast. We just need to keep pounding it to Dwight and let him find the open man out of the double team or just continue to dunk it.
Hahahaha I love retrospectively looking at these posts/ "Yeah Bulls by 10" "Bulls by 15" "Wallace has got this kid's number"
<div class="quote_poster">I-Miss-MJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why would Bulls fan predict a loss?</div> Two words. Dwight. Howard.
The Bulls pretty much shot themselves in the foot tonight with stupid mistakes. Andres Nocioni was a none factor, and Ben Wallace also failed to bring his A game. Meanwhile, I would love to see Sefolosha get some more playing time whenever he is on the court he is making things happen.
<div class="quote_poster">GameFace Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Bulls pretty much shot themselves in the foot tonight with stupid mistakes. Andres Nocioni was a none factor, and Ben Wallace also failed to bring his A game. Meanwhile, I would love to see Sefolosha get some more playing time whenever he is on the court he is making things happen.</div> No, the Magic shot the Bulls in the head.
<div class="quote_poster">Chuck Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No, the Magic shot the Bulls in the head.</div> The Magic played a better game...tonight. Not to take anything away from them. However, if the Bulls could have had a better effort from one or two players they likely would have been in a better position to win this game. The defense completely let them down tonight. Oh, and on the bright side for Bulls fans, Ben Gordon light it up tonight.
The play of the Bulls really, in a word, disgusted me tonight. We beat ourselves tonight. We didn't make any FTs. Any nice run we put together ended up becoming irrelevant cause we almost immediately gave all those points back. Dwight Howard was absolutely unstoppable. Jameer Nelson killed us with his quickness and ability to get to the hoop. Grant Hill did a great job tonight. The Bulls played pathetic tonight. The defense was awful. The offense wasn't that great, In all, I didn't like what I saw tonight and I hope they fix these issues before they're next game. On notes of positive things, Ben Gordon looked better tonight. He still wasn't able to knock down the trey, but at least he broke the 20 point barrier, and his shooting was keeping us in it earlier. Also liked what I saw from Thabo again. He used his length to disrupt the passing lanes and showed a nice ability to get to the hoop. I think he's going to get a permenant spot in that rotation here soon enough.
What happened out there, ran out of kool-aid? Welcome back to Earth, where the refs give you 12 FTs in 4qtrs and not in the first 4 minutes. And where you still have yet to live up to your hype since last season or get passed the first round. Enjoy your stay.
<div class="quote_poster">Heat4Life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What happened out there, ran out of kool-aid? Welcome back to Earth, where the refs give you 12 FTs in 4qtrs and not in the first 4 minutes. And where you still have yet to live up to your hype since last season or get passed the first round. Enjoy your stay. </div> Hey, Bulls might've lost. But after a big win against Heat. And .. atleast Bulls didn't lose by 42.
