Dwight Howard’s 18 points lead Magic to 101-98 preseason win over Bulls

Howard leads Magic over Bulls

CHICAGO — Ryan Anderson’s 3-pointer in the final minute put Orlando ahead for good and Dwight Howard scored 18 points as the Magic remained unbeaten in the preseason with a 101-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

Trailing 92-91, Anderson gave the Magic (7-0) the lead with a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left. After Brad Miller missed a jumper for the Bulls, Howard made two free throws to extend the lead to 96-92 with 21.2 seconds left.

Kirk Hinrich hit a jumper with 18.4 seconds left to bring the Bulls with two. After Orlando’s Jameer Nelson made two free throws, Hinrich hit a 3 over Howard to make it 98-97 with 8.5 seconds left.

Orlando’s Vince Carter helped close out the game with two free throws with 7.2 seconds.

Howard had 10 rebounds and was 10 of 17 from the free throw line. Anderson had 18 points and Carter finished with 17.

John Salmons led the Bulls (5-3) with 19 points and Hinrich had 18.

The Bulls played without Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose, who has not played since the preseason opener because of an inflamed tendon behind his right ankle. Rose is listed day to day.

Before the game, Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas was surprised to find out he was not in the in starting lineup.

“I don’t think it should even be questionable from what I contributed to this team last season and what I did throughout camp, but like I said, he (Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro) is the guy that makes the decisions, whatever decision he makes I still I have to go out and play,” said Thomas, who had 22 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Minnesota on Friday after missing the four previous games with a bruised right hip. In 25 minutes Monday, Thomas finished with 10 points and three rebounds.

Orlando led 47-45 at halftime as Howard had 12 points and seven rebounds and Anderson added 10 points.