Turner stars as Pacers hand Bulls’ Boylen losing start
LOS ANGELES: Myles Turner scored 18 points as the Indiana Pacers handed Jim Boylen a losing start with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
Boylen took over the head coaching duties with the Bulls on Monday after Chicago fired Fred Hoiberg.
But the scale of the task facing Boylen was underscored by the Pacers in Indianapolis as the Bulls slipped to a 96-90 defeat.
The loss left Chicago with a 5-20 record, anchoring them firmly at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
The Pacers improved to 14-10 for the season, moving them into fifth place in the East, 5.5 games adrift of leaders Toronto.
As well as his double-digit points tally, Turner also chipped in with 11 rebounds and three assists.
The 22-year-old power forward, who also had five blocks, was given support from Darren Collison, who had 23 points and eight assists.
Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen led the scoring for Chicago with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Boylen meanwhile praised his team’s character -- but pointedly warned that fitness levels need to improve. Elsewhere Tuesday, the Orlando Magic improved to 12-12 for the season with a 105-90 win over the Miami Heat in their Florida derby.
Aaron Gordon had 20 points with 13 rebounds for Orlando, one of six Magic players to finish in double figures.
Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross both had 19 points for Orlando.
Justise Winslow led the scoring for Miami with 14 points off the bench.