The Magic signed free agent Mickael Pietrus this summer as a defensive specialist, thinking he could slow down all the high-scoring shooting guards and small forwards they would face in the Eastern Conference.
But it hasn't happened yet. Although the Magic (2-2) has won back-to-back games, Pietrus has yet to assert himself defensively, struggling to find his niche or the rhythm he needs to be effective.
Throughout much of the fourth-quarter time in the first four games, Pietrus has been on the sidelines, either saddled with foul trouble or simply replaced by Keith Bogans for being ineffective.
"Yes, it's been a problem," admitted Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. "I don't think he (Bogans) is a better defender, but for what we're doing right now, he has a better knowledge of how we want to play."
The Magic will return to action Thursday night at home against the 76ers, probably the best team the Magic has faced this season. They lost to Atlanta and Memphis while beating Sacramento and Chicago.
Pietrus has been effective offensively, twice scoring 20 points, but that's not what the Magic wanted from him. At one point in the loss to Atlanta, teammate Rashard Lewis barked angrily at Pietrus when he missed a defensive assignment, leading to a personal foul by Lewis.
MAGIC 96, BULLS 93: With Dwight Howard again dominating around the basket, the Magic overpowered the Bulls at Amway Arena. Howard was too big and too strong for the Bulls. He finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots, looking a lot like an MVP candidate.
The Bulls trailed most of the game, although they closed in the final minute, almost tying the score with an off-balance shot by Ben Gordan that lipped off the rim with 15 seconds remaining.
