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  Saturday, Dec. 18 8:30pm ET
Orlando 83, Chicago 74
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

CHICAGO (AP) _ John Amaechi scored 13 points and the Orlando Magic used their superior bench Saturday night to beat Chicago 83-74 and send the hapless Bulls to their 19th loss in 21 games.

Amaechi and fellow reserve Chris Gatling, who had 10 points, were the only scorers in double figures for Orlando.

Elton Brand had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls, who shot only 34 percent and had 17 turnovers that led to 20 Orlando points.

The Magic pulled away in the final five minutes of the third quarter, using a 15-4 run featuring six points from Amaechi to take a 63-53 lead.

The Bulls rallied in the fourth as Kornel David scored eight points, including a jumper that made it 73-66 with 5:18 to go. Corey Benjamin's 3-pointer and two free throws by Elton Brand cut it to five with 2:09 left.

But the Bulls missed on two chances to cut it to three before Pat Garrity and Darrell Armstrong hit a pair of free throws in the final half minute to shut off the Chicago rally.

Notes: Toni Kukoc, who has played only four games all season because of a bad back, said he'd like to try practicing next week. With Kukoc joined on the injured list by guards Randy Brown and Hersey Hawkins and Dedric Willoughby sidelined by a groin strain, Bulls coach Tim Floyd said the team may sign a guard Monday. To make it more difficult, Fred Hoiberg aggravated an injury to his right knee when he was knocked to the floor in the second quarter. He did not play in the second half ... The Magic are forcing an NBA-leading 19.2 turnovers per game.. ... Magic rookie Cory Maggette, a native of suburban Bellwood, Ill., made his first appearance as a pro in Chicago. He played 20 minutes, scoring three points. ... Ron Artest of the Bulls was 0-for-13 from the floor.

 


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NBA Scoreboard

Orlando Clubhouse

Chicago Clubhouse


RECAPS
Washington 95
New York 83

Utah 106
Atlanta 96

New Jersey 98
Cleveland 74

Detroit 104
Philadelphia 91

Charlotte 106
Miami 89

Minnesota 108
Dallas 104

Orlando 83
Chicago 74

Houston 100
Boston 94

Milwaukee 109
Indiana 95

Denver 86
San Antonio 84

Phoenix 119
Sacramento 103

Seattle 112
Vancouver 89