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Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
The Chicago Bulls clinched their second consecutive win this season, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 124-118 on Saturday evening at the United Center.
“Now we have to go for three in a row,” DeMar DeRozan declared. “These last two games should serve as a model for us.”
Here are 10 key takeaways:
—DeRozan made a strong return after missing one game due to a sprained left ankle. He played a smart, overall efficient game, achieving a season-high 10 assists in addition to 24 points. In the fourth quarter, he began to focus more on his shooting, scoring over Herb Jones in the midrange for a crucial late-game basket.
“My ankle felt good,” DeRozan stated.
Bulls News
—For those who were curious about whether the Bulls’ ball movement, which was prominent in their overtime win against the Bucks, would continue with DeRozan’s return, the answer came quickly. The Bulls assisted on eight of their first 10 baskets and, after posting a season-high 32 assists in the previous game, they put up 32 assists against the Pelicans.
“We’re just being unselfish, moving the ball, pushing the pace,” DeRozan explained. “We’re understanding reads, making quick reads, shooting the ball and making plays with confidence.”
–Coby White took charge in the fourth quarter. White hit consecutive 3-pointers in the middle of the fourth quarter to break a tie. Both were of the heat-check variety. Afterwards, White completed a traditional three-point play, leading to chants of “Coby! Coby!” at the United Center as he went to the free-throw line. He then drove and passed to a wide-open DeRozan for a 3-pointer with 4 minutes and 25 seconds left, extending the Bulls’ lead to six points. Finally, White made a perfect alley-oop pass to Patrick Williams for a game-sealing dunk with just 20.1 seconds remaining. White ended the game with a season-high 31 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
—However, not all of the Bulls’ injury updates were positive. Zach LaVine, who missed the first of at least three more games due to his sore right foot, and Alex Caruso, who left the game with 2 minutes and 44 seconds remaining in the second quarter and did not return. Caruso re-aggravated the strained left toe that has led to him being in and out of the lineup. Caruso started in place of LaVine and scored eight points in 12 minutes, along with two rebounds and two steals. Ayo Dosunmu, who had another strong performance, started the second half in place of Caruso.
—Saturday night marked the first set of back-to-back games that injury-prone Zion Williamson played. Before this set, Williamson had averaged 28.4 points on 64.7 percent shooting. He’s a significant offensive threat, putting immense pressure on opposing defenses. “He’s as good as I’ve seen following up his shot when he misses it,” coach Billy Donovan noted. Patrick Williams guarded Williamson and executed textbook defense on one possession when Williamson attempted to spin and drive baseline. Overall, the Bulls’ defense contained Williamson until the later stages of the first half.