Magic defeats Bulls to end losing streak
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-04-13 14:36

Juwan Howard scored a season-high 38 points to help the Orlando Magic snap a 13-game losing skid with a 93-84 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

Orlando Magic's Zara Pachulia (27) of the Republic of Georgia reaches for the ball as Chicago Bulls' Jannero Pargo (15) brings the ball up the court during the first period, Monday, April 12, 2004, in Chicago. [AP]

Howard scored 10 straight during a 13-0 run in the third quarter that gave the Magic 66-47 lead. He had eight in a row in the fourth quarter to put the game away after Chicago cut its deficit to eight.

Orlando won for the first time since a March 10 victory over Washington, beating a Bulls team that will finish with the league's second-worst record. Only Orlando had a worse season.

Marcus Fizer had 30 points and a career-high 20 rebounds for the Bulls, who had few other options down low because of injuries.

Already playing without big men Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler, the Bulls lost Antonio Davis early in the first quarter with a sprained right knee. Davis was injured when Andrew DeClercq came down on his right ankle while going for a rebound.

That left the 6-8 Fizer, who started at center, and 6-7 Ronald Dupree as the post players for the Bulls. They weren't nearly enough, not even against the Magic.

DeShawn Stevenson had 13 points and Britton Johnsen finished with a career-high nine rebounds off the bench.

A game after scoring 50 points, Jamal Crawford was held to 14 points on 5-of-17 shooting for the Bulls. Chris Jefferies added 15 points and rookie Kirk Hinrich had eight points and 12 assists.

This could have been the last chance for Chicago fans to see Fizer and Crawford in Bulls uniforms. Both are restricted free agents, and a roster shakeup is expected in the offseason.

The Bulls and Magic will face off again next month for the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery. The Magic will have a 25 percent chance of landing the top pick, and their selection can fall no lower than fifth. The second-worst team has a 20 percent shot at picking first.

Notes:@ Scottie Pippen, sidelined most of the season by knee problems, said he didn't know whether would return for another season. He has one year left on his contract with the Bulls. "I will try to work toward my knee getting better. I don't know quite yet what I'm going to do," he said. ... The Magic beat Chicago for the first time this season after dropping the first three in the series. ... Curry missed the game with a bruised left knee. ... Chicago was third in the league in attendance despite another disappointing season. Davis addressed the crowd before the game, telling them, "We want to thank you. We know we haven't given you a lot to cheer about."

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