NBA Review: Chicago Bulls beats Orlando Magic with Jimmy Butler the star
Last Updated: 05/11/14 11:59am
Jimmy Butler led the Chicago Bulls to a 98-90 victory over the Orlando Magic as they continued to dominate the Eastern Conference Central division.
Butler contributed 21 points, three assists and nine rebounds as the Bulls claimed their third win of the season at United Center, while Pau Gasol also impressed for the visitors scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds against the so far winless Magic.
The Cleveland Cavaliers continued to falter in their second LeBron James era as they suffered a 101-82 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers, who top the Western Conference Northwest.
Portland had started Tuesday's game with a 1-2 record but were able to claim their second victory of the campaign as Cleveland slumped to 1-2, failing to score 20 points or more in the final three quarters.
After a strong first quarter saw the Cavaliers lead 34-31, Cleveland's misfiring offense again failed them with James scoring just 11 points.
Kevin Love (22 points, 10 rebounds) was the Cavaliers' best player, while Tristan Thompson (10 points) was the only other player to score double figures for the visitors.
Damian Lillard top scored for Portland with 27 points, while Wesley Matthews (21) and Robin Lopez (19) were also handy contributors for the hosts.
The Houston Rockets remained perfect as they trumped the Miami Heat 108-91 to claim a 5-0 win-loss record to begin the 2014-15 NBA season.
Dwight Howard impressed with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while James Harden contributed 25 points and 10 assists as the Rockets claimed their fifth consecutive victory.
At the other end of the Western Conference standings, the Los Angeles Lakers slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat.
Markieff Morris notched 23 points and 10 rebounds as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Lakers 112-106, with Los Angeles suffering a 5-0 losing record to begin the season, while in Toronto, the Raptors cruised past the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-88.
Elsewhere, the Washington Wizards overcame the New York Knicks 98-83, the New Orleans Pelicans won 100-91 against the Charlotte Hornets and the Milwaukee Bucks prevailed 87-81 over the Indiana Pacers.
