The Orlando Magic don't have to duck questions about the Chicago Bulls anymore.
The much-anticipated playoff matchup between the defending Eastern Conference champions and the team that had the most successful regular season in NBA history will begin Sunday."I guess this is what America wants . . . what (fans) have been asking for six months," Orlando's Dennis Scott said after the Magic shrugged off second-round opponent Atlanta in five games to join the Bulls in the conference finals.
"I think this series we lost a little bit of focus or fire, and I think now it's time for us to get back on track," Scott added Wednesday night. "We know (Chicago's) ready for us, and they are going to try and do whatever they can to dethrone us."
The Magic eliminated the Bulls and an ineffective Michael Jordan in six games in the conference semifinals a year ago, then went on to make their first appearance in the NBA Finals.
Chicago won three of four meetings between the teams en route to a league-record 72 victories this season and will have the homecourt advantage in the best-of-7 series.
"It's going to be a tough task, especially going on the road for two games first," the Magic's Anfernee Hardaway said. "They're smelling the Finals again because they haven't been there in three years, so they're going to be ready to play. We will, too."
Orlando bounced back from its only loss of the playoffs to beat the Hawks 96-88 Wednesday night to win the series 4-1.
Shaquille O'Neal led the way with 27 points and 16 rebounds, atoning for a subpar performance in Game 4 that may have been related to chest pains he experienced in Atlanta.
The Magic revealed that O'Neal, who missed 10 of 17 shots from the field and 12 of 17 free throws Monday night, complained of tightness in his chest at halftime of the fourth game, the only one Orlando lost.
A team physician examined the 7-foot-1 center before he played in the second half of the loss, then O'Neal visited a cardiologist as a precaution on Tuesday.
All tests were negative, Magic spokesman Joel Glass said.
"The other day I had some funny heartbeats, so the only thing I could think about in the game was falling out or something," O'Neal said. "I went to the doctor and he said it was only stress."
The four-time all-star was 11-for-14 from the field, but struggled from the foul line again - missing 10 of 15 free throws.
Anfernee Hardaway finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Nick Anderson scored 16 and Horace Grant 10.
Grant Long led the Hawks with 24 points. Steve Smith was held to 16 on 6-for-19 shooting after scoring 35 in Atlanta's only victory in the series.