NBA: Bulls overpower Magic 85-59

The Chicago Bulls continue to thrive in the absence of league MVP Derrick Rose and cemented their place at the top of the Eastern Conference with a suffocating 85-59 road win over the Orlando Magic on Monday.

The Bulls are 10-4 without Rose, who has missed four straight games with a groin injury. Carlos Boozer scored 24 points and had 13 rebounds while reserve point guard John Lucas put up 20 points to pick up the slack.

Chicago (38-10) have built a three-game lead in the conference over Miami, who they beat 106-102 last week.

The Bulls raced to a 15-point lead against Orlando and dominated the fourth by outscoring the home team 25-11.

Dwight Howard recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds but the Magic (29-18) could not get their offense on track and lost for the third time in four games.

The 59 points scored by Orlando were the fewest ever allowed by Chicago in a regular season game.