LDN - Sports

Bulls win seventh in a row by routing Magic

[December 21, 2017] CHICAGO -- Confidence has never been an issue for the Chicago Bulls this season, even when they found themselves in the midst of a 10-game losing streak.

So, with their current winning streak now at seven, self-assurance continues to fuel the Bulls, who, after their latest victory -- a 112-94 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday -- are showing no signs of slowing down.

Denzel Valentine scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Kris Dunn and Nikola Mirotic each scored 15 points as the Bulls (10-20) never trailed in continuing the Eastern Conference's longest winning streak.

Of course, scoring the game's first 12 points didn't hurt.

"I think we came out aggressive and we wanted to show that we're rolling now, we're confident," Valentine said. "We believe we're one of the best teams in the East."

Bobby Portis finished with 14 points to go along with 13 from Jerian Grant. Robin Lopez also reached double figures for Chicago with 10 points.

Mirotic, who has sparked the Bulls over the last seven games since returning from injuries that forced him to miss the first 23 games of the season following a fight in practice with Portis, also grabbed 10 rebounds.

The collective effort played a major role for the Bulls, who ended both the first and second quarters with scoring surges when Orlando attempted to bounce back from its slow start.

But the Magic (11-21) never recovered fully as the Bulls came out strong to begin the third quarter, sending Orlando to its sixth straight loss.

"We didn't guard well enough, we didn't play defense well enough," Magic coach Frank Vogel said.

The Magic (11-21) played without three opening-night starters, including leading scorer Evan Fournier. Orlando also lost Jonathan Isaac, who re-aggravated an ankle injury during Wednesday's loss and played less than 14 minutes.

Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin finished with 14 points. Mario Hezonja also reached double figures for Orlando with 12 points.

But hampered by injuries, the Magic struggled from the perimeter and connected on just 5 of 27 3-point field goal attempts.

"We've got to play really above ourselves right now to get a win and to have a chance," Vogel said. "We didn't play a great basketball game and the result is what it is."

Chicago, which finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field, led by as many as 30 points. The Bulls used its balanced scoring attack to maintain a double-digit lead and again got another impressive effort from their bench, which contributed 54 points in the victory as the Bulls' turnaround continued.

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Chicago Bulls guard Justin Holiday (7) shoots the ball against Orlando Magic forward Jonathon Simmons (17) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

"It's been fun," Portis said. "Everyone is out there spacing the floor, taking good shots, talking on defense and just playing together. That's one thing we've tried to do since Day 1 and right now, it's working for us."

But as good as the Bulls feel by turning things after snapping a 10-game losing streak on Dec. 8, the tests will continue to get tougher. Chicago travels to Cleveland on Thursday before heading to Boston on Saturday. Mirotic, who has made a habit of predicting victories during Chicago's current winning streak, wouldn't guarantee a win against the Cavaliers, but he certainly likes the Bulls chances.

"We are going there to win, of course," Mirotic said. "We're going to do our best for sure and the way we've been playing the last seven games is completely different."

Valentine agreed.

"It's definitely fun winning and we just have to keep it up," Valentine said. "Teams are going to come after us because we're winning."

NOTES: Magic G/F Evan Fournier missed his sixth straight game because of a right ankle sprain. Fournier has made progress in his recovery and has participated in non-contact practice drills the past few days, but still isn't ready to play after sustaining the injury Dec. 6. ... F Aaron Gordon (strained right calf and bone bruise) also missed Wednesday's game. Coach Frank Vogel said the injury is a "little better" and that it's "eating (Gordon) alive not to be out there". ... Magic G Arron Affalo returned for Wednesday's game after missing the last three games with back spasms. ... Bulls G Zach LaVine will return to practice soon after dealing with back spasms. LaVine remains on a January timetable to return to game action from a torn ACL. ...The Bulls started the game with 12 straight points and led after the first quarter for the 10th time in their last 12 games.

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