Magic-Bulls Preview
Chicago, IL – The Orlando Magic have played well of late, even though Vince Carter hasn’t always been a consistent contributor. That appears to be changing for the eight-time All-Star.
Carter looks to build on his biggest game of the season while helping the Magic get a third consecutive victory Wednesday night when they visit the Chicago Bulls.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Magic -4 point spread favorites for Wednesday’s game against the Bulls. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 77% of more the 605 bets for this game have been placed on the Magic -4.
After averaging 8.7 points and shooting 28.4 percent in January, Carter has been much more productive in four February games, averaging 26.5 points while making 52.8 percent of his shots. After scoring at least 20 in each of his previous two contests, Carter posted a season-high 48 points in Orlando’s 123-117 win over New Orleans on Monday.
"It’s a new month. A new month brings new things," said the Daytona Beach native, who’s averaging a career-low 16.6 points in his first season with the Magic. "The past is the past, and it’s going to be that. I’ve had rough months. That’s just how it goes."
Carter had 34 points in the second half and was 19 for 27 from the field overall Monday as the Magic (35-17) won for the ninth time in 11 games.
"It was a great feeling,” said Carter, who scored the most points by a Magic player since his cousin Tracy McGrady had 62 against Washington on March 10, 2004. "When you’re rolling like that for your team, it’s a great feeling. We have so many weapons, and just because of that I never imagined to be able to come out here and have a game like that.”
If Carter continues to play well, Orlando could become even more of a threat than it already is to make a second consecutive trip to the NBA finals. The Southeast Division-leading Magic are second in the Eastern Conference, 6 1/2 games behind Cleveland.
The Magic look to continue their strong play by avenging a 101-93 loss at Chicago on Jan. 2. Orlando’s big three of Carter, Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis were held to a combined 24 points as the Magic shot 35.9 percent – their lowest mark on the road this season – to drop their second consecutive trip to the United Center.
"We just didn’t have the fire we needed to compete against a team like this,” said Orlando’s Matt Barnes after he scored a team-high 23 points in that contest.
Carter finished with eight points and went 3 of 15 from the field in that contest. He’s averaging 22.9 points in 36 career games against the Bulls, but he’s been held to 7.7 points and 23.1 percent shooting in his last three.
Chicago’s Derrick Rose had 30 points, seven assists and six rebounds against the Magic last month. He’s averaging 26.0 points and 6.0 assists in the Bulls’ last two home games against Orlando.
Luol Deng had 23 points with 11 boards, while Rose and John Salmons each scored 21 in the Bulls’ 109-101 win at Indiana on Tuesday.
Chicago (25-25) shot 50.1 percent overall and outscored the Pacers 28-15 in the fourth quarter for its second consecutive win after dropping three in a row.
"Our energy and effort in the fourth quarter was good," coach Vinny Del Negro said.
The Bulls are 15-8 this season at the United Center, where they’ve won nine of 12.
Posted: 2/10/2010 12:50AM ET