Magic, Bulls headed in opposite directions

CHICAGO -- They're each 3-3, but the Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls have starkly different opinions about being .500 six games into the season.

The Magic are feeling better about themselves after erasing an 0-3 start with three straight wins. The Bulls are trying to figure out what's gone wrong after seeing their 3-0 start dissolve into their current record with three straight defeats.

"We've got to find a way to bounce back and get back to doing the things that made us successful earlier in the season," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg told the Bull's website Saturday, after a lethargic 111-94 loss at the Indiana Pacers. "Eighteen turnovers led to 24 points, and that was a big reason we dug ourselves that hole out there. Now, it's a matter of getting back to work and finding out what we have to do, and hopefully coming out and playing well on Monday."

It won't be an easy task against the Magic, who just edged the Washington Wizards 88-86 on Saturday night with a strong effort from their bench. Jeff Green had 18 points in his new reserve role, Bismack Biyombo added nine points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots, and D.J. Augustin chipped in seven points and five assists.

More importantly, the Magic came up with a number of key defensive stops in the fourth quarter, holding Washington to just 16 points on 5-of-22 shooting (22.7 percent).

"That's a sign of a playoff team," Magic coach Frank Vogel told the team's website after the game. "I believe defense and rebounding get you into the playoffs, and that's what wins in the playoffs. We didn't have a good offensive rhythm and we weren't shooting it well, but in the fourth quarter, it's the (third straight game) that we held (the opponent) under 20 points and were able to secure the victory."

Orlando's three losses were against teams that qualified for the playoffs last season, including the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic's three wins were against non-playoff qualifiers, the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings and Wizards.

"It shows that we have the ability to bounce back from where we started," Green told the Magic's website. "It shows growth and improvement. We have to keep building from this, grow and right the wrongs"

The Bulls need to prove they're more than just Dwyane Wade and everybody else. Thus far, they've followed how Wade has played. Wade went 1-for-9 and finished with just four points against the Pacers, while Jimmy Butler and Bobby Portis led the way with 16 points each.

"I'm just going to have to lead the charge when it comes to coming out with the right energy, making sure we're doing everything we're supposed to on both ends of the floor," Butler told CSNChicago after the game. "I'm definitely capable of doing that, so I can't come out lackadaisical. I've got to make sure everybody is doing what they're supposed to do. I think that's on us. It's not even on the coaches."

The Bulls will play their fourth game without injured reserve point guard Michael Carter-Williams, who's out with a left knee bone bruise and left wrist sprain.