Final
Davis returns, leads Pelicans past Bulls
Feb 2, 2014 - 4:33 AM New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Anthony Davis scored a game-high 24 points to go with eight rebounds and six blocked shots, as the New Orleans Pelicans notched an 88-79 win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday at New Orleans Arena.Davis, who missed Wednesday's 88-77 setback in Minnesota with a sore left index finger, set a franchise record by posting his sixth consecutive game with at least four blocked shots.
"I'm just trying to protect the rim," Davis said of his record-setting streak. "My teammates are doing a great job of not fouling while guys are driving to the basket, so I'm there to clean it up."
Tyreke Evans added 11 points and six assists off the bench, while Eric Gordon netted nine points for the Pelicans, who have won four of their last five.
"I just told our guys that you just won a man's game," New Orleans head coach Monty Williams said. "You can't play any more physical than that without being in a fight. It was good to win a game like that."
D.J. Augustin paced the Bulls with 23 points, while Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah each registered double-doubles in the setback, Chicago's third in its last five games.
With the contest tied 23-23 early in the second, Austin Rivers and Anthony Morrow helped fuel a 12-0 New Orleans surge that gave the home team a double- digit advantage with 7 1/2 minutes remaining in the half.
Meanwhile, Chicago didn't register its first field goal of the second stanza until Augustin drained a pull-up jumper to bring the Bulls within 43-32 with 2:54 left before halftime.
The Bulls briefly trimmed the margin to single digits following Gibson's layup with 1:33 to play, but Davis answered with a three-point play at the other end, helping the Pelicans take a 50-39 spread into the locker room.
Chicago again got within nine early in the third before Davis bookended an 8-2 swing with a pair of dunks to make it 60-45 with 7:34 left in the third.
New Orleans carried a 71-57 advantage into the fourth and led by double digits for most of the frame until Gibson scored seven straight points to get Chicago within nine with 1:12 left.
However, New Orleans kept the Bulls off the board the rest of the way to hang on for the victory.
"We were coming from behind most of the time," Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau admitted. "We got away from the basket in the missed free-throws and we just turned the ball over."
Game Notes
Gibson scored 17 points with 10 boards, while Noah netted 14 points and pulled down 16 rebounds ... Chicago dropped to 10-13 on the road this season ... The Bulls had won five straight in New Orleans ... Davis dislocated his left index finger in Tuesday's win over Cleveland ... New Orleans scored 50 points in the paint, compared to 34 points from the Bulls ... The Pelicans poured in 23 points off 17 Chicago turnovers.
Feb 1 10:22 PM- CHICAGO: 57
NEW ORLEANS: 71
End of 3rd
Feb 1 9:48 PM - CHICAGO: 39
NEW ORLEANS: 50
Halftime
Feb 1 9:09 PM - CHICAGO: 21
NEW ORLEANS: 23
End of 1st
Feb 1 8:35 PM - CHICAGO: 0
NEW ORLEANS: 0
1st Quarter - 11:45
Feb 1 8:14 PM
Related News
- Is Zion Williamson Being Over Criticized? Dec 12
- NBA In-Season Tournament Already a Success Dec 5
- Lakers Eyeing Top Trade Targets From Bulls Nov 15
- NBA Trade Deadline Rumors: Heat Set Sights On Bradley Beal, Pelicans Interested in Scoot Henderson Jun 14
- Report: Bulls Concerned Lonzo Ball's Injury Could End His Playing Career May 29
- NBA Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Friday (4/14) Apr 14
- Heat vs. Bulls NBA Play-In Player Prop Bet Picks: Friday (4/14) Apr 13
- NBA Play-In Game Player Prop Bet Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/12) Apr 12
- NBA PrizePicks Player Predictions: Wednesday (4/12) Apr 12
- NBA Play-In Game First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/12) Apr 12