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Bulls hosting LeBron's Cavs
Bulls hosting wireless phone drive on April 11
The Bulls and Verizon Wireless are teaming up to invite fans to help victims of domestic violence in Chicagoland. The organizations are holding a phone collection drive Friday, April 11, at the United Center prior to the Bulls' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Beginning at 4:30 p.m. when the gates open, until game time, fans can donate no-longer-used wireless handsets and accessories from any service provider at any of the United Center admission gates. The wireless equipment will be collected for Verizon Wireless' HopeLine® program.
April 9
Bulls @ Orlando
6:00 p.m.
CSN-Chicago
ESPN 1000
April 11
Bulls vs Cleveland
6:00 p.m.
WGN, ESPN2
ESPN 1000
April 13
Bulls vs Orlando
6:00 p.m.
CSN-Chicago
ESPN 1000
April 14
Bulls @ Milwaukee
7:00 p.m.
WGN
ESPN 1000
April 16
Bulls vs Toronto
7:30 p.m.
CSN-Chicago
ESPN 1000
Brew Pub Weekends
Bulls fans, remember that after every Friday and Saturday home game, Anheuser-Busch will be sponsoring Weekends in the Budweiser Select Brew Pub! The Budweiser Select Brew Pub will remain open an hour after each Friday and Saturday game at the United Center and will feature a live DJ.
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Game Notes: Bulls at Orlando Magic
Chicago has posted victory in six of the last eight trips to Orlando
Hello ***,
They wrapped up the Southeast Division more than a week ago and guaranteed themselves the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a win over the weekend.
Just don't try telling Stan Van Gundy that his Orlando Magic are clicking on all cylinders. The Magic will try to rebound from what their coach called the team's "worst game of the year by far" when they host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday (6:00 p.m. CT | CSN | ESPN 1000).
Orlando (48-29) won its first division title in 11 years last week when the second-place Washington Wizards lost, and scored a convincing 101-86 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers - the East's current No. 4 seed - on Saturday to wrap up the third spot.
But the Magic didn't look sharp at all the next night, getting outscored 26-12 in the first quarter en route to a 100-90 loss to the last-place New York Knicks.
"It was our worst game of the year by far. Both ends of the floor, no energy,'' Van Gundy said after watching his team lose for the fourth time in six games. "We were awful. It was embarrassing. We played a game yesterday, so what? It's the NBA. You can't use that as an excuse."
Orlando's biggest problem in New York was its free-throw shooting, which has been an issue throughout the year for a team that is among the league's top five in both field-goal and 3-point percentage. The Magic are among the league's bottom five from the foul line (72.5 percent), and made 17-of-29 (58.6 percent) on Sunday.
"Leading up to the playoffs, this is a time where everybody has to be ready," said center Dwight Howard, who had his NBA-leading 66th double-double. "We looked real flat tonight. We can't have nights like this."
Howard's play, at least on the offensive end, has slipped recently. On March 17, the East's starting All-Star center was averaging 21.7 points. But he's scoring just 13.8 per game as Orlando has dropped five of its last eight.
Howard even had a rough time in practice, needing six stitches after getting cut on the mouth in a collision Tuesday, though he isn't expected to miss any time.
The Magic's other area of concern lately has been their 3-point shooting. They make an average of 38.5 percent of their shots from beyond the arc, but have seen that drop to 36.6 in their last six games. Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, Orlando's two best shooters, went a combined 2-for-16 from 3-point range against the Knicks.
New York won't be a part of the postseason, and neither will the Bulls (30-47), who were widely expected to challenge for the Central Division title at the start of the season.
Instead, Chicago's season, which has been plagued with inconsistent shooting, has been a huge disappointment. The Bulls have made just 43.2 percent of their shots, which is currently the worst percentage in the NBA since 2004-05.
Chicago was officially eliminated from playoff contention on Tuesday with a 95-88 loss at league-worst Miami.
"We need to become a better defensive team,'' said guard Kirk Hinrich. "The teams who usually compete for the NBA championship are almost always one of the best defensive teams in the league.''
One of the few bright spots for Chicago down the stretch has been the play of rookie Joakim Noah, who has averaged 11.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in his last nine games.
The Magic have won both meetings with the Bulls this season. The teams conclude their series Sunday in Chicago.
Tune in to watch tonight's game at 6:00 p.m. CT on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and listen live on ESPN Radio 1000. Visit Bulls.com or click here now for a complete preview.
Probable Bulls Starters | Roster and Statistics
Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-3 | 190
Guard 32 Larry Hughes 6-5 | 185
Forward 9 Luol Deng 6-9 | 220
Forward 24 Tyrus Thomas 6-8 | 215
Center 13 Joakim Noah 6-11 | 232
Probable Magic Starters | Roster and Statistics
Guard 14 Jameer Nelson 6-0 | 190
Guard 1 Maurice Evans 6-5 | 220
Forward 15 Hedo Turkoglu 6-10 | 220
Forward 9 Rashard Lewis 6-10 | 230
Center 12 Dwight Howard 6-11 | 265
Injury Report
Drew Gooden (lower abdominal strain) is questionable. For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report at Bulls.com.
Tony Battie (torn rotator cuff, left shoulder) and Brian Cook (fractured third metacarpal, right hand) are out for Orlando.
Get more game notes, statistics and player bios at Bulls.com.
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Enter to win a 2008 Kia Sorento!
Hey Bulls fans! Enter the Bulls Sweepstakes for your chance to win a 2008 Kia Sorento! Many other unbelievable prizes will be awarded including round-trip airline tickets from United, wireless telephones courtesy of Verizon Wireless, gift certificates to Dick's Sporting Goods and much more! There are three ways to enter: by filling in the form at Bulls.com, by fill in the form on the back of a Bulls ticket stub, or by visiting a Chicagoland or Northwest Indiana Kia Retailer.
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