NEW YORK -- Stan Van Gundy believes the MVP race is already over, and Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls is going to win it.

"I don't think it's wide open. The media seems to have made their decision, and they're the ones that vote. So I think it's over," Van Gundy said Wednesday night as his Orlando Magic prepared to play the New York Knicks. "I mean, I just listen and read. I think it's over. Derrick Rose has it. I haven't really read or heard a media guy who is going another way at this point. I'd be shocked if he doesn't win it."

Votes from selected sportswriters and broadcasters are due back at the league office on Thursday, April 14 -- the day after the regular season ends. The award is announced at some point during the playoffs. Last year, LeBron James received 116 of 123 first-place votes.

Van Gundy has openly campaigned for Dwight Howard, who is scoring 23.0 points per game -- 1.9 fewer points than Rose. Howard is also second in the league in rebounding (14.3 per game), field goal percent (60 percent) and blocks (2.43).

The Magic began the night with a record of 45-26, only five fewer victories than they had after 71 games last season.

Howard himself acknowledged Wednesday night that Rose is indeed the favorite to win the award, having led the Bulls into first place in the Eastern Conference. Rose is averaging 24.9 points (seventh in the NBA) and 7.8 assists (10th) for a team that has had success despite missing Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah for long stretches of the season. Also, Rose has become a much better 3-point shooter, making 112 shots from long range this season after making just 32 total over his first two NBA seasons.