It took them three overtimes to pull it off but the Chicago Bulls minus Derek Rose escaped the Orlando magic 128-125 in Orlando Wednesday night. Joakim Noah was good for 26 points, 19 boards and six assists as the Bulls rallied from a 15-point deficit in regulation to keep the Magic winless in their last nine games.
For the Magic, Victor Oladipo finished with a career-high 35 points as he made 15 of his 24 shot attempts and distributed eight assists. He also committed eight turnovers… Bloody hell, the man was tired.
Oladipo played 57 minutes, one minute shy of the franchise’s single-game record, set by Horace Grant 16 years earlier. You might be tired too if you put up numbers like that in a losing effort.
“I was more mad than exhausted,” Oladipo said. “I’m not going to lie. I’m more mad than exhausted right now.”
Jameer Nelson dropped a season-high 31 points.
This game was long folks…loonnng.
Revenge served cold
Since the Magic put it on the Bulls in the Chi early in the season, it was time for Chicago to get some “get-back”. You know what “get-back “is don’t you? Of course you do.
The Magic played without center Nik Vucevic and leading-scorer Arron Afflalo and are 0-4 in overtime and 1-21 when they give up 100 points. This just isn’t going to get it folks.
It’s kind of painful to cover the Magic when they are far less than Magical….and still one must believe.
Fans hold fast to glory days when the Magic were contenders for a title and praised for their talent. Both times the team tricked it off. You know what “tricked off” means right? Of course you do!
The players must believe in themselves, (which is evidenced in how they took this 9th loss in a row).
The owners and coaches must believe in one another which doesn’t seem as prevalent based on some of their decisions. One must not pretend to know the intricacies of being an NBA franchise owner but I know a dumb move when I see one. Magic ownership have made their share. What is the correct formula for that? At least they seem interested in standing behind Jacques Vaughn. Perhaps he has a grip on the correct formula.
Once the correct formula is discovered, only then will the Magic will return on the court. I’ve seen it up close so I know it is possible to believe in Magic.
