Game Preview #32: Bulls vs. Orlando Magic

[Thanks to CommittedToExcellence for the preview. Unprovoked! -ed.]

Given the lack of size on the inside, tonight's match-up with Orlando seems rather dangerous for our home team, Chicago.  Orlando is not a small team by any means, and they're led by their super center, Dwight Howard, who comes into tonight's game averaging nearly 20 points and 14 rebounds a game.  The Bulls will have their hands full defending Howard in the post and if they would like to snatch a win tonight, what they are going to have to do boils down to three simple things.

1.  Play effective small ball to neutralize some of the size difference

This is going to be important, because if we allow Dwight Howard to establish his self early, this could get really ugly.  Remember this is the same Magic who ran through the Hornets last week, beating them by 20 points.  Effective small ball means that we'll need to play more of Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah, something that hasn't gone hand in hand with VDN's coaching style.  If we want to have an effective small ball lineup in the time that Gooden and Deng are out, we're going to have to go with a line up of: Rose, Gordon, Nocioni, TT, and Noah, and run them off the floor.

This team is far from just Dwight, however, because they have a pair of 6-10 forwards that can shoot the ball, and a number of guys at the 2/3 that are able to exploit our dearth of size.  If we disrupt Dwight early, then we can look forward to Hedo Turkaglu or Rashard Lewis trying their best to sink us with the drive and dish or pick and roll.

2.  Get Dwight Howard in foul trouble and keep him there

If the Bulls are going to have any success, we'll need to be able to penetrate and dish, or simply get into the paint for scores.  Since Dwight Howard is a shot-blocking, rebounding monster, keeping him out of the game plays to the Bulls best interests.  Having Howard get going early and disrupting any drives to the paint will quickly put the Bulls in a hole that will be difficult to climb out of.

3.  Take effective shots to space the floor

This is a no brainer, being that this should be a pillar of every team looking to win in the NBA, but unfortunately, we've got a penchant for shooting shots that are early, not in rhythm, come outside the offense, and ultimately are not needed.  I'm pointing squarely at Larry Hughes and Tyrus Thomas, but Nocioni is along those lines, and when Gordon has an off night but continues to shoot, the three of them can easily shoot us out of the game.

The positive side to this bullet, if the guys are hitting their shots, it will open up space for Derrick Rose to drive and finish, hopefully he is able to draw fouls on the Magic's bigs, especially Howard.

These three things, along with defending Jameer Nelson who is quietly having a great year out in Orlando, will ensure that the game is at least close enough to maybe scratch one out.  It will come down to these stats in determining who will win this game: Turnovers, Offensive Rebounds, Field Goal percentage, and personal fouls.

If the Bulls can win the turnover battle, meaning that our passes are effective and we don't waste opportunities, while at the same time creating steals and collecting loose balls, we should be able to run an efficient offense.  This is another area that we can attack Dwight Howard in, as his turnover rate is one of Super-man's weaknesses.  This also removes a few opportunities down low, something that would greatly benefit the home team, seeing as we'll likely trot out Aaron Gray for a ritual sacrifice.

Last notes, and a plea to VDN: the Bulls will need lots of luck, but with effort in the above areas, the game can be managed, and probably kept close.  To VDN, please play Tyrus and Joakim, because with Noc at the 4 and Gray at the 5, Orlando will eat us alive on both sides of the floor, and wipe the backboard with us in terms of rebounding.

Hope everyone is watching, and go Bulls!