The Chicago Bulls are fresh off a come-from-behind victory over the Charlotte Hornets that broke a seven-game losing streak (even if it took some relatively desperate and out-of-the-box thinking to get there). The New Orleans Pelicans just halted their own seven-game skid with a blowout 143-120 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
A more impressive victory over a 4-22 Pelicans team would do wonders for Chicago. The Pels, meanwhile, are currently being buoyed by the play of rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears. Back-to-back wins would certainly provide a morale assist, but falling one loss closer to top lottery odds wouldn’t be the worst thing for New Orleans either.
What does the injury report look like for tonight’s game?
More of the same for the Bulls against the Pelicans
Chicago was humbled in New Orleans on Nov. 24 with a 143-130 loss that kicked off the recently ended losing streak. It was a sign of real trouble for the Bulls.
The Pelicans, losers of nine straight, scored 78 points in the paint that night. Chicago allowed 19 offensive rebounds, which turned into 30 second-chance points for NOLA.
Sure, the Bulls were without Nikola Vucevic and Zach Collins — the latter of whom will be in the lineup tonight — but it’s not like they were down Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis on the interior.
A healthier team than the one that took the floor three weeks ago should, at least theoretically, give Chicago a good chance of earning a second straight victory.
Zion Williamson questionable for Pelicans in Chicago
It should be business as usual for New Orleans Head Coach James Borrego.
Fears and Trey Murphy III (who would look great in a Bulls uniform, by the way) will each make their 25th start of the year. Queen is coming off a 17-point, seven-assist night in the win over Portland, while Jordan Poole scored 22 points off the bench against the Trail Blazers.
The most pressing question facing the Pelicans doesn’t lie on the injury report; rather, it sits on the trade block. Murphy III and Herbert Jones have both seen their names swirling around the rumor mill, and Williamson will always pop up in trade talks until he’s moved or proves he can stay healthy.
Full injury report for New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls
The complete injury report for tonight’s game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls:
Out: Noa Essengue (shoulder, out for season)
Doubtful: Ayo Dosunmu (thumb)
Questionable: Kevin Huerter (adductor)
Probable: Dalen Terry (hand); Coby White (calf)
New Orleans Pelicans:
Out: Dejounte Murray (achilles)
Questionable: Zion Williamson (adductor)
