Bulls Turn Back Magic
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Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images(CHICAGO) — Even with injured superstar Derrick Rose sidelined, the Chicago Bulls will still be a tough out. Luol Deng scored 23 points, Nate Robinson gave the Bulls a lift and Chicago handed the Orlando Magic their first loss, 99-93 on Tuesday night at the United Center.
The Bulls (3-1) trailed by five in the second half, but went on a 15-2 run to grab an eight point lead.
“(Winning is) all that counts, but we need to play better,” Bulls forward Joakim Noah said. “This isn’t going to cut it against a better team. We’ve just got to keep fighting.”
Noah had 20 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.
For the Magic (2-1), they did not have enough to start 3-0 on the season despite losing center Dwight Howard to an offseason trade.
Guard Aaron Afflalo had 28 points to lead the team.
“Our lull offensively gave them an opportunity to hit some shots in the fourth quarter,” Afflalo said. “It’s unfortunate, because it was a game I thought we could have won.”
Robinson had 11 points off the bench for the Bulls, who play the Oklahoma City Thunder at home on Thursday.
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