The Chicago Bulls are riding high at the moment - on an eight game winning streak and sitting two games ahead of the Miami Heat for top spot in the Eastern Conference. Yesterday they were at home against the Orlando Magic which is in third spot and hoping to bounce back from a loss earlier in the week.
Derrick Rose welcomed Howard, the Superman to Chicago, with a bit of fun between the All-Star teammates.
Orlando pulled away early on with Howard taking control, giving the Magic a 15-point lead with the slam.
The Bulls rallied back in the second quarter. Rose finished with a buzzer beating three to bring Chicago within five.
Midway through the third....the Bulls capped an 8-2 run with this from Carlos Boozer...the leading scorer for the Bulls with 26...putting Chicago up by one, as they move into the lead for the first tim.
But Orlando battled back deep in the Q. Jason Richardson hits three to put the Magic back on top by eight.
Rose led Chicago in the final quarter though. The reigning MVP finished off a routine layup to bring the Bulls to within one. Rose notching 17 points and nine assists.
Chicago in the lead...but Orlando responds with a late 8-1 run. Jameer Nelson lobs to Howard for a vicious dunk. The Magic tie it at 91 with two minutes left. Howard, a huge night with 29 points and 18 boards.
The Magic's Hedo Turkoglu with the dagger as he nails the triple, Orlando 99, Chicago 94 and the Bulls’ eight game winning streak is snapped.
Suns beat Mavericks 96-94
In Phoenix, Steve Nash led the Suns against Dirk Nowitzki and his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, hoping to snap an eight game losing streak against Dallas.
Lamar Odom gets into the act early on. His driving slam puts Dallas on top by one.
Steve Nash, leading the Suns with 11 assists overall, find Marcin Gortat for a dunk. Phoenix trail by one.
Deep in the second quarter...Vince Carter converts the layup to give the Mavs a 7-point lead.
But the Suns come back in the third. Jared Dudley, with 12 of his 18 in the 3rd, pushes Phoenix two points ahead.
The Suns have a good start in the final quarter. Shannon Brown finishes off a thunderous dunk. (replay) Phoenix, in the midst of a 13-4 run and they take a 10-point lead.
Dallas makes this one interesting...as Jason Kidd’s three draws Dallas to within six.
Then, Nowitzki’s 14-footer cuts the lead to four as he scores 18 all up.
More from Nowitzki....his inside basket brings the Mavs to within two.
Dallas with one last chance to tie...but Rodrigue Beaubois’ attempt is no good. The Suns down the Mavs 96-94.