Coby White scored a season-high 31 points and led a 3-point barrage by the host Chicago Bulls in a 124-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
White matched his career high of eight 3-pointers (in 13 attempts) and the Bulls made 17 of 40 compared to 8 of 25 for the Pelicans. DeMar DeRozan returned from a one-game absence due to a sprained left ankle to add 24 points and 10 assists. Torrey Craig and Ayo Dosunmu scored 15 each and Patrick Williams had 14.
Zion Williamson scored 27, Brandon Ingram had 23, Herbert Jones Jr. had 17, Jonas Valanciunas added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Jordan Hawkins scored 10 to lead the Pelicans.
White had eight points and Williams four during a 12-2 run that pulled Chicago even at 65 early in the third quarter.
The score was tied four more times and White broke the fourth tie by making a 3-pointer that started a 13-6 run that left the Bulls with an 89-82 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Williamson had a field goal and an assist to help the Pelicans trim the lead to three early in the fourth quarter.
Chicago rebuilt the lead to seven before Jones made three free throws to pull New Orleans even at 98.
White answered with consecutive 3-pointers for a six-point lead midway through the quarter.
Ingram made consecutive baskets before White converted a three-point play and DeRozan, White and Craig each made a 3-pointer for a 116-104 lead.
New Orleans got within four twice in the final minute, but didn’t get any closer.
Craig scored seven points and DeRozan beat the buzzer on a jumper from the lane as the Bulls grabbed a 32-29 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Chicago increased the lead to seven points early in the second quarter before Ingram made consecutive baskets to pull New Orleans even at 43.
The Bulls made just two field goals in the final four minutes and Williamson made four straight field goals in the final 2:13 as the Pelicans took a 61-53 halftime lead.
–Field Level Media