The New Orleans Pelicans enter Tuesday night’s matchup with the Chicago Bulls with an opportunity to close their current road trip with two wins in three games and sweep the Bulls after being swept by Chicago last season.
While the competition hasn’t been the stiffest lately, the Pelicans have won three of their past six, something they haven’t done since the first six games of the season. During this stretch, the Pelicans have played much better basketball, ranking 11th in the NBA in offensive rating (115.6), 14th in defense (114.4), and 11th in net rating (1.2).
Despite holding the worst record in the Western Conference, the Pelicans still have plenty to play for, especially as key players return to health.
Sunday’s narrow 120-119 loss to the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics marked the first time Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, and Trey Murphy were on the court together this season. The trio showed promise, with Murphy leading the way with 30 points, including five three-pointers, Murray adding 26 points (17 in the first quarter), and Williamson contributing 16 points, seven rebounds, and a season-high five steals. The Pelicans were a cumulative +8 and posted a net rating of 22.3 against the Celtics with them on the floor.
“Trey is stepping up,” head coach Willie Green said. “He’s assuming a bigger role. We knew he had the ability to score at a higher clip, and he’s doing that. He’s also defending, rebounding, and sharing the basketball. It’s much needed for our group.”
Now, the Pelicans turn their focus to a Bulls team they beat 123-111 in the season opener back in October. Brandon Ingram was the star of that game with 33 points, but he remains sidelined with an ankle sprain, leaving the Pelicans to rely on their current lineup to replicate the result.
This series, at least recently, has typically ended in a sweep. Since the 2006-07 season, the series has been swept 16 times, six by the Pelicans and 10 by the Bulls, including the last two.
Players to Watch
For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson’s return has been a major boost. In two games since coming back, he’s averaged 19 points, 6.5 rebounds, and an impressive 4.0 steals per contest, showing flashes of his defensive potential. Trey Murphy has also been on fire, dropping 30 points in Boston on Sunday, his third 30-point game in the last six contests. Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray has found his rhythm in January, averaging 18.4 points on 45% shooting and sinking eight three-pointers during the road trip. His steady production in the backcourt has helped the Pelicans stay competitive. And the Pelicans cannot be discussed without mentioning the contributions of CJ McCollum. McCollum has three 30-point games of his own in the last nine games, including his 50-point destruction of the Washington Wizards.
| PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | FG% | 3P% | FT% | 30-PT Games | |
| Last 6 games | 26.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 45.5 | 40.3 | 96.9 | 3 |
| Season | 21.0 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 45.1 | 37.0 | 91.3 | 3 |
| Career | 12.7 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 45.4 | 38.8 | 87.6 | 11 |
For Chicago, Zach LaVine has been on a “bullish” run of his own, leading the league in scoring this month at 33.3 points per game. LaVine has a knack for torching the Pelicans, with five 30-point games in his last 10 meetings against them. Nikola Vucevic remains a reliable double-double threat, averaging 18.2 points and 10.7 rebounds in January, while also stretching defenses with his ability to knock down perimeter shots. If Coby White, who is listed as questionable, suits up, he could provide a spark. The speedy guard has excelled against New Orleans, including a career-best 31 points last season. Together, LaVine, Vucevic, and potentially White form a dangerous trio the Pelicans will need to contain. Former Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball has been another weapon for the Bulls since rejoining the team, converting nine of 15 three-point attempts over his last two games.
The Bulls rank second in the NBA in both three-pointers made (16.5 per game) and attempted (43.7 per game), while the Pelicans have allowed 14.1 threes per contest. With LaVine and Vucevic leading the charge, New Orleans will need a strong defensive effort to limit Chicago’s long-range efficiency.
The Pels have struggled on the road, going just 3-16 this season, but Sunday’s performance in Boston showed the team’s potential when fully healthy. New Orleans has won two of three on the road. Meanwhile, Chicago is just 8-12 at home.
If the Pelicans can maintain their defensive intensity and get big performances from Williamson, Murray, and Murphy, they could secure a rare road win. However, slowing down LaVine and contesting the Bulls’ shooters will not be easy.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Chicago Bulls | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Josh Giddey | G – Dejounte Murray |
| G – Lonzo Ball | G – CJ McCollum |
| F – Zach LaVine | F – Jordan Hawkins |
| F – Patrick Williams | F – Javonte Green |
| C – Nikola Vucevic | C – Yves Missi |
Injuries
Chicago Bulls: Ayo Dosunmu (soleus) and Coby White (neck) are QUESTIONABLE. Torrey Craig (right ankle sprain) is OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Dejounte Murray (right elbow soreness) is PROBABLE. Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain) and Herb Jones (right shoulder strain) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (8–32) vs Chicago Bulls (18-21)
Season Series:
- Oct. 23: Pelicans def. Bulls, 123-111
- Jan. 14: Pelicans at Bulls
Series History: The New Orleans Pelicans are 22-27 all-time against the Chicago Bulls, and have won four out of six in the series, including a 12-point victory on opening night.
Where: United Center
When: Jan. 14, 7:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
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READ MORE
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