On March 25, Beijing time, in the NBA regular season, the Bulls lost 109-126 to the Pelicans, suffering two consecutive defeats. DeRozan was sidelined with a left adductor strain. The two sides played more glued in the first three quarters, and the Pelicans showed the team's suppression in the final quarter, playing a 40-24 single quarter score, gradually opening up the point difference to lay the foundation for game victory. Lavin scored 39 points, McCollum contributed 25 points and six assists and Graham 30 points. After this game, the Pelicans' record was tied with the Lakers, and due to the hand-to-hand advantage, the Lakers rose to 9th in the West, and the Bulls still ranked 5th in the East, but only one win ahead of the 6th Cavaliers and 7th Raptors.
Statistics
Bulls: LaVine had 39 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 turnovers, Vucevic had 16 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, Caruso 11 points, and Bryant White hit 5 three-pointers for 23 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists
Pelicans: Graham hit five three-pointers and had 30 points and four assists, McCollum had 25 points and six assists, Valanciunas had 16 points and 19 rebounds, and Alvarando had 15 points, seven assists and three steals
The Star of the Field
Graham hit five three-pointers and finished with 30 points and four assists, making him the best performer on the team. His plus-minus is as high as +28, and his efficiency value is 29, both of which are the highest in the team. When the Bulls wanted to bite the score in the final quarter, Graham stepped up to score 2+1, personally scoring five consecutive points to refuse opponents to narrow the score difference, ensuring that the Pelicans always held a double-digit lead.
Highlight moments
McCollum broke through with an easy throw
Tristan Thompson slammed one-arm dunk
Dosem helps Fly Lavin
Kobe Bryant White shook off his opponent's three-point shot
LaVine countered the quick attack to complete the one-handed split
Murphy's second offense ignored the defense to complete the pressed whistle
Game review
At the beginning of the first quarter, Vucevic hooked up and scored the first game for the Bulls. Valanciunas made a basket, Vucevic and Lavin scored consecutive points, and McCollum hit three-pointers. Hayes cut a dunk, Graham scored 2+1, Brown hit a three-pointer, and the two teams fought to 19 draws. LaVine hit a back-to-back three-pointer, McCollum hit a jumper and the Bulls hit a 10-2 offensive surge to take a nine-point lead. McCollum scored consecutively, Nance Jr. made a layup and LaVine scored 2+1. The first quarter ended with the Bulls leading the Pelicans 39-31.
At the start of the second quarter, the Pelicans scored five consecutive points, Vucevic hit a jumper, Marshall and Valanciunas scored consecutive points, and White hit three consecutive three-pointers from three points to overtake the Bulls 49-47. White hit a three-pointer, Graham scored 2+1, LaVine scored consecutive jumpers, and the Pelicans hit a 9-3 offensive surge to take a four-point lead. White pressed a three-point shot as the Bulls trailed by one point into the second half. At the end of the half, the Bulls trailed the Pelicans 62-63.
Easy side to fight again. The Pelicans started with a seven-point streak to stop the Bulls, Green cut a dunk to stop the team, and Lavin and Caruso scored six straight points to equalize. Valanciunas scored a free throw after causing a foul, Dosem scored on a layup, McCollum responded on a layup, LaVine scored 2+1 with a dunk, and the Bulls countered the score. McCollum scored five straight points, Hernangomex slammed his hands, and LaVine and White broke through in a row. Alvarado hit a three-pointer, Jones Jr. cut to the basket and Murphy broke through the dunk. The third quarter ended with the Bulls trailing the Pelicans 85-86.
At the start of the final quarter, White hit a three-pointer, Alvarado scored four straight points, and Caruso made 2 of 2 free throws. The Pelicans hit a 12-0 offensive surge that stretched the point difference into double digits. Caruso hit a jumper, Graham hit a three-pointer and Valanciunas scored inside the box to give the Pelicans a 15-point lead over the Bulls 107-92. Vucevic scored on a layup, Green hit a three-pointer, Valanciunas made a layup, and Lavin and Caruso scored five straight points. Graham scored 2+1 and scored five consecutive points, with the Pelicans still taking a double-digit lead. LaVine scored five straight points and Graham hit consecutive free throws at the free throw line to help the Pelicans secure a double-digit lead. The Bulls failed to narrow the gap further, and Tristan Thompson was sent off for two technical fouls in the final minute. As the game time ended, the Pelicans won the game.
Both sides started
Bulls: Lavin, Caruso, Yaunt Green, Dossem, Vucevic
Pelicans: Graham, McCollum, Herbert Jones, Hayes, Valanciunas
(Text/Yuwen Basketball)