Bodog Beat

Rookie Derrick Rose has given backers of the Chicago Bulls something to get excited about this season. (Wikimedia Image)

The No. 1 overall pick in the draft is coming off his best game, scoring a career-best 26 points in a 96-86 win over Memphis on Saturday. Rose will try to help the Bulls avoid a fifth straight loss to the Orlando Magic tonight when the teams meet at Amway Arena.

The Bulls, who are 7-point underdogs, dropped all four matchups with the Magic last season, including being outscored by an average of 22.0 points in the final three games. Chicago shot 29.8 percent in a 16-point loss at Boston on Friday, and 38.1 percent against the Grizzlies on Saturday.

The Magic are coming off a 121-103 win over Sacramento on Saturday in which they shot a season-high 55.0 percent. Dwight Howard averaged 20.3 points and 13.0 rebounds against the Bulls last season.