The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Chicago team with a score of 124:110 and inflicted the 5th defeat in the last 6 games.
It was exciting in the first half at the Smoothie King Center. The teams alternated in the lead, and in the end, the local Pelicans went to rest with a 5-point advantage, with a score of 58:53.
The Pelicans start the third quarter brilliantly, with a 9:0 run with the triples of Murphy, McCollum and Ingram, “running away” to +14. The visitors from Chicago had no answer to the offensive of New Orleans, so the winner was already known at the end of the section, the home team leading with a score of 95:78.
As well as the third and fourth quarters, the Pelicans start brilliantly, with an 8:0 series, going to +25. point difference, which was unattainable for Vucevic and his teammates. In the end, the Pelicans celebrate their triumph with a final score of 124:110.
CJ McCollum led the list of scorers for the hosts with 23 points, followed by Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas with one less point, while Trey Murphy recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
DeMar DeRozan was the most efficient in Chicago with 28 points, Zach LaVine added 25, and Nikola Vucevic recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Pelicans reached their 9th win, with their 6th loss, and are in 5th place in the Western Conference, while Chicago is on a bad streak, 5th loss in the last 6 games, 9th overall in the current season, and with 5th. victory, they are in 11th place in the East.
In the next round, the Bulls welcome a decimated Orlando, where they will have an ideal opportunity to end their bad streak, while New Orleans will welcome the runners-up and leaders of the East, the Boston Celtics.
