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CHICAGO -- Arron Afflalo is quietly putting together a nice season for the Orlando Magic. Darnell Dockett Kids Jersey . He just wants to add more wins to his solid statistics. He thinks that team success could be coming soon. Afflalo scored 23 points and the Magic got double-doubles from Glen Davis and Nikola Vucevic in an 83-82 victory over the slumping Chicago Bulls on Monday night. "To me, its just about us getting healthy, putting it together, and getting some consistency," Afflalo said. "I feel once we get consistent with the things that we do well were going to be pretty good." Davis had 14 points and 11 rebounds despite playing with a sore left shoulder, powering Orlando to a 54-45 edge on the glass in just its second win in the last 10 games. Vucevic finished with 10 points and 11 boards. Orlando (8-17) closed out a nine-game stretch that included eight road games. It begins a six-game homestand on Wednesday night against Utah. "Im really looking forward to our personal home stretch back in Orlando and hopefully putting a streak together for once," said Afflalo, who is averaging a career-high 21.6 points on 47 per cent shooting. The Bulls (9-14) had a chance to win despite shooting 34.6 per cent from the field during another terrible offensive performance. Trailing 81-79 with 6.8 seconds left, Joakim Noah made a terrific bounce pass to a streaking Luol Deng, but he missed the easy layup. "I had a good angle and it was a great pass by Jo," Deng said. "I missed the shot and I knew I missed it when it left my hand. It was just a bad, bad miss and my fault." Davis grabbed the rebound and made two foul shots to give the Magic a four-point lead that proved crucial when Mike Dunleavy made a 3-pointer from half court as time expired. Deng had 26 points and eight rebounds for Chicago, which has dropped five of six. D.J. Augustin and Dunleavy had 14 points apiece, and Noah finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. "Its not pretty right now," Dunleavy said. "We are battling, we are trying, we just keep coming up short." Jameer Nelson had 14 points and seven assists for Orlando, which had lost its last five games against Chicago. The Magic appeared to be on their way to an easy victory when Vucevic and Afflalo made consecutive jumpers to make it 63-46 with 5:17 left in the third. Afflalo had 13 points in the period. But the Bulls started to pick up their play at the end of the quarter. Augustin, Dunleavy and Deng each made a 3-pointer during a 13-2 run that trimmed Orlandos lead to 65-59 with 58.1 seconds left, capped by an emphatic two-handed jam by Taj Gibson over Vucevic. "Its tough. Were losing to teams that were supposed to be beating," Gibson said. "Thats the way I feel. I just feel like we have to do better, including myself. This one hurts." The Bulls played without point guard Kirk Hinrich for the second straight game due to back stiffness. Coach Tom Thibodeau said he hopes Hinrich will be able to return soon. Marquis Teague replaced Hinrich in the starting lineup, but Chicagos offence looked much better when Augustin was on the court. Augustin, who signed with the Bulls on Friday and started the second half, had eight assists in 37 minutes, while Teague was scoreless in 11 minutes. Thibodeau said he thought about starting Augustin, but he wasnt sure if he was comfortable enough with the Bulls schemes. "I didnt want him to be tentative," Thibodeau said. "I thought he was much more aggressive. I liked the effort that he put in defensively. I think there are things he can do better, but I thought he made great effort and I think thats important." Davis injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter of Orlandos 101-98 loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday. He was a game-time decision against the Bulls, but he made two big jumpers in the final period while playing 33 minutes. "Im just proud of our guys, to go back home with a win," he said. Davis said his shoulder loosened up during the game and he just tried to give it everything he had. He also said he wanted to play against Bulls forward Carlos Boozer. "I like playing against Boozer. He really fires my engine," Davis said with a wry grin. "Just his whole attitude really gets under me." NOTES: Magic rookie Victor Oladipo, who played his college ball at Indiana, received a warm ovation when he was introduced with the starting lineup. ... The Bulls waived G Mike James before the game. He played 37 1/2 minutes over seven games with Chicago. ... These teams play again on Jan. 15 in Orlando and April 14 back in Chicago. ... Boozer had six points on 3 -for-10 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds.Lyle Sendlein Jersey . Sopoaga hit the upright with his first shot at goal from 15 metres. He then kicked nine goals in succession -- two conversions and seven penalties -- before being replaced in the 62nd minute, three points short of the Highlanders record for most points in a match. Sam Acho Kids Jersey . PAUL, Minn.The Calgary Stampeders announced the hiring of Rich Stubler as their new defensive coordinator on Thursday morning. Stubler had spent the last two seasons in the same capacity with the BC Lions. "Im pleased to be able to add a coach with such a wealth of experience," said Stampeders coach and general manager John Hufnagel in a release. "Rich has a great track record of success as a coach in this league and I know hell be a tremendous asset to our staff." Stubler made his CFL coaching debut in 1983 as the defensive coordinator for the Hammilton Tiger-Cats. Alameda Taamu. Hes also spent time in the same role with Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts. In 2008, Stubler served as head coach of the Argos. "Im appreciative that the Stampeders and Coach Hufnagel have a little faith in me,” said Stubler in the same release. “Im really excited to come and work for the Red and White.” Stubler had met with new Winnipeg Blue Bombers coach Mike OShea last week about coming aboard in the same capacity with the Bombers. As a CFL coach, Stubler has won four Grey Cups. ' ' ' |
