NBA

Bulls sub gets hot in win over Magic

ORLANDO - Jannero Pargo scored a season-high 23 and Luol Deng had 22 Wednesday night to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Magic 102-93.

Filling in for injured teammate Kirk Hinrich, who sustained a concussion when he took an elbow to the face from Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki on Monday night, Pargo was 9-of-13, including 5-of-8 on 3-point attempts.

"He's done it before, so we have experience with him sitting over there for long periods of time and coming in and getting hot," coach Scott Skiles said after the third-year pro helped the Bulls snap a two-game losing streak.

Chicago put away the game with an 11-1 run after the Magic trimmed an 11-point deficit to 86-82 with just over five minutes to go. The closest Orlando got after that was seven in the final minute.

Dwight Howard had 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Magic, which has lost five straight.

Steve Francis returned after missing three games because of a bruised chest and scored 16 points, but also had six of Orlando's 23 turnovers before fouling out with 1:36 left.

Pargo, who entered the game averaging 4.0 points, made three 3-pointers and scored 11 points during a 20-9 surge that put the Bulls ahead 79-68 heading into the fourth quarter.

DELAND - A nearly life-size sculpture of All-Star Vince Carter will be erected in front of his Daytona Beach high school despite objections from some board members.

Volusia County School Board members agreed to accept the sculpture, a donation from Carter's mother. It will be placed in front of a new gym at Mainland High School being built with a $2.5-million contribution from Carter, now a New Jersey Net.

Board member Judy Conte said accepting the statue sends the wrong message to students.

"There have been many students graduated from that school who have made wonderful contributions to their fellow man - in science, health, theater. Where are their statues?" Conte asked. "I think we're saying we value you if you can make a lot of money, and that troubles me."

The sculpture will feature Carter and two children at opposite ends of a granite footbridge. It will include words about the importance of education in building a successful future.

[Last modified December 8, 2005, 00:51:07]