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The Orlando Magic will catch a bit of a break Wednesday night in their game against th Chicago Bulls: center Joakim Noah will miss the game due to flu-like symptoms, coach Tom Thibodeau said. Noah remained at the team's hotel during shootaround and was unable to recover in time to play.
Noah, 27, has started at center in each of Chicago's 29 games of the 2012/13 season. The University of Florida product is averaging career-highs in points (12.8), assits (4.4), steals (1.4), and blocked shots (2.1) while hauling in 10.3 rebounds. Moreover, he is a minutes sponge for Thibodeau, logging 39.2 minutes per game.
Chicago will be without one of its starters, but the Magic will have one of theirs back. Point guard Jameer Nelson, who missed the Magic's last two games with a sore left hip, feels healthy enough to play Wednesday. Ish Smith started in Nelson's absence and averaged 7.5 points, three rebounds, and four assists.
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