CHICAGO (AP) — Isaac Okoro scored a season-high 24 points, Tre Jones added 20 points and 12 assists, and the exhausted Chicago Bulls beat the New Orleans Pelicans 134-118 on Wednesday night.
Matas Buzelis scored 19 points, Jalen Smith had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Nikola Vucevic added 17 points as Chicago played without its two top scorers, Josh Guidy and Coby White, who were injured in Monday night’s loss to Minnesota and are expected to miss several games.
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All five of Chicago’s starters scored in double figures, as did three bench players – Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter and Patrick Williams.
Zion Williamson scored 31 points and Jordan Poole added 26 off the bench for New Orleans, which has lost its fifth straight game.
The Bulls showed off their up-tempo style, scoring 25 points on the fast break while holding the lead against the Pelicans in the paint (60 to 56).
Chicago took advantage of New Orleans’ foul calls in a game that often got physical. Chicago struggled at the free throw line in the first half, hitting 25 of 34 free throws.
Chicago led 97-90 entering the fourth quarter before extending the lead to 17 points.
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The team said Sunday that Guiddy (left hamstring tightness) will be re-evaluated in two weeks and White (right calf tightness) will be re-evaluated in a week. The Bulls also said center Zach Collins (sprained right toe) will be reevaluated in 10 days. He missed Monday’s game.
Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado has been suspended two games for his second game for his fight with Phoenix player Mark Williams on Saturday night.
Chicago led 67-62 at halftime.
Okoro scored 16 points in the opening 24 minutes. Williamson continually drove into the paint and scored 20 points, including nine consecutive points late in the second quarter.
Next
Pelicans: Host Portland on Friday night.
Bulls: Host Orlando on Friday night.
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