Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose led the visiting Chicago Bulls to a 97-83 victory over the Orlando Magic Friday night.
The Bulls would make a run in the second quarter out scoring the Magic 27-16, giving Chicago a 53-43 half time lead.
Orlando trailing in the second half by as many as 16 points rallied to bring the game to within 3.
Chicago’s stifling defense and knack for offensive rebounding led them to close the game on a 17-6 run.
“It starts on the defensive end,” Deng said. “That’s how we get our offense going, by playing great defense.”
Rose and Deng both finished with 21 points, Carlos Boozer added 20 followed by Kyle Korver’s 18 off the bench.
Chicago’s 7-1 start is the best in the past 15 years.
“We have to continue to improve, our ultimate goal is an NBA championship.” Rose said post game. “This is just the start, long season and many improvements. But I know we will get there.”
Dwight Howard finished with 28 points and 15 rebounds, 14 of those points coming in the first quarter. Howard was disappointed in his team’s play but was optimistic about the season.
“It’s not the end of the season, we knew we wouldn’t go 66-0, we just need to regroup and get ready for the next game, Howard said.”
Orlando was able to get the deficit to 86-80 in the fourth quarter after Howard hit 1 of 2 free throws with 3:26 left but that’s as close as the Magic would get.
A Boozer fade-away jumper with 2:13 all but iced the game for Chicago at 92-80.
Jason Richardson scored 17 points along with Hedu Turkoglu’s 12 for Orlando.
Orlando 5-3 on the season and 4-1 at home will now travel to Sacramento to play the Kings Sunday evening at 6pm.
