Magic vs. Bulls: Orlando hopes to stop skid against tough Chicago squad

The Orlando Magic open 2013 at home against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7 PM Eastern on Fox Sports Florida in the Orlando market. The Orlando Pinstriped Post GameThread will appear at 5 PM in this StoryStream and on the cover.

Orlando's last time out: Despite 20 points and a franchise-record 29 rebounds from Nikola Vučević, the Magic's losing streak reached six games on Monday against the Miami Heat in overtime. LeBron James scored 10 of his game-high 36 points in the extra period and finished with eight boards, 11 assists, and a steal as well. Arron Afflalo scored 28 for Orlando, while J.J. Redick added 23 off the bench.

Chicago's last time out: The Bulls' 2012 also ended on a sour note as they fell, 91-81, at home to the Charlotte Bobcats, snapping the visitors' 18-game losing skid. Luol Deng posted 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Carlos Boozer added 19 and 14 boards, but Chicago shot just 35.1 percent from the floor.

The last meeting: The Magic fell, 99-93, in Chicago in their third game of the season, their first away from Amway Center. A 31-point fourth quarter lifted the Bulls, which entered the period trailing by a deuce. Deng made the most of his matchup against rookie swingman DeQuan Jones, scoring an efficient 23 points in 38 minutes.

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