NBA

The Chicago Bulls Try to Snap a Two-Game Skid

The Chicago Bulls will try to end a three-game slid in their upcoming matchup with the visiting Orlando Magic in a battle of Eastern Conference 3-3 teams.

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The Chicago Bulls look towards ending a thee-game losing streak as they host the Orlando Magic.
The Chicago Bulls look towards ending a thee-game losing streak as they host the Orlando Magic.

The Chicago Bulls (3-3) will try to prevent a three-game slide, as they welcome the Orlando Magic (3-3). With newly revamped rosters, the Bulls and Magic’s first meeting of the season can have great effect on the race to occupy a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

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Interestingly, the Bulls started the season winning their first three games, while the Orlando Magic opened the year with a three-game losing streak. Since then, their roles have reversed. The Chicago Bulls dropped three consecutive games, while the Orlando Magic are the ones with an active three-game win streak.

In their last game prior the hosting the Magic, the Bulls were on the receiving end of a 17-point thrashing at the hands of the Indiana Pacers (3-3). Chicago opened the first quarter with a mere 15 points. They also committed an appalling 18 turnovers, while allowing the Pacers to have their way on offense. The Chicago Bulls were seemingly helpless in preventing a season high 12 three-point makes from Indiana.

Dwyane Wade had his worst game of the season, missing eight of his nine shots to finish with a mere 4 points. Wade, the second leading scorer for the Chicago Bulls, was 13 points short of his season average of 17.0 ppg. Their leading scorer Jimmy Butler notched 16 points to match a season low in production.

In total, Chicago missed 12 of their 18 three-point attempts to help seal the Indiana win.

Despite their current downward spiral, the Chicago Bulls are still the tenth-best team in scoring (106.5 ppg) and field goal percentage (45.4%). However, they are among the bottom half on defense, 15th overall in points allowed with opponents scoring 103.8 ppg. This is due to fact that the Bulls are now the second-worst team in stopping basket, allowing opposing teams to convert 47.3% of their shot attempts.

The Orlando Magic's Evan Fournier is having a breakout year with
Evan Fournier is having a breakout year for the Orlando Magic.

On the other side of the matchup, the Orlando Magic head into Chicago as the third-lowest scoring team in the NBA at 95.0 ppg, despite having six players average in double digits. They are led in points by fifth-year French shooting guard Evan Fournier, who is averaging a career-best 18.2 ppg.

The Magic make up for their scoring slack through defense. They are 10th overall in points allowed at 100.3 ppg.