Preview: Pelicans at Bulls

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[December 12, 2015]  SportsDirect Inc.
 
 The Chicago Bulls look to get their offense in gear after a season-low scoring effort when they host the improving New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night. The Bulls held on Thursday to knock off the Los Angeles Clippers 83-80 for their eighth win in 11 home games after losing the previous three contests - one of them on the road.

Center Pau Gasol has led the way for Chicago of late, averaging 20.2 points and 12.2 rebounds in his last five games while recording double-doubles in seven of nine. The Bulls look to take advantage of the Pelicans (6-16) and Philadelphia (1-23) on Monday as their five-game homestand continues. New Orleans has played .500 basketball the last 10 games after rallying to edge Washington 107-105 on Friday night for its second win in three contests. The Bulls will have to contend with All-Star forward Anthony Davis, who has registered double-doubles in eight of his last 10 contests.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, WGN (Chicago)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (6-16): Guard Tyreke Evans was shut out in the loss against Boston on Monday and rebounded to score a game-high 27 in Friday's victory while draining 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Backcourt partner Eric Gordon also scored 15 after coming up empty Monday, but the Pelicans gave up 100 points for the ninth consecutive game. Forward Ryan Anderson missed the last game due to illness and center Kendrick Perkins was available after sitting out 17 games with a right pectoral injury, but did not play.

ABOUT THE BULLS (12-8): Chicago battled through a rough shooting night (35.6 percent) and scored just 19 points in the fourth quarter before edging the Clippers. Leading scorer Jimmy Butler (20.9 points) has missed all seven of his 3-point attempts the last two contests while Nikola Mirotic has made 5-of-24 from beyond the arc his past four outings. Derrick Rose is still searching for his shooting touch consistently (36.3 percent from the field), but scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter Thursday.

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BUZZER BEATERS

1. After missing seven of the previous eight due to a hamstring injury, Chicago G Aaron Brooks had 10 points in a season-high 21 minutes Thursday.

2. New Orleans G Jrue Holiday, who scored 19 off the bench Friday, has made 7-of-11 from 3-point range the past three contests.

3. The Bulls won each of two meetings last season, scoring 107 points in both.

PREDICTION: Bulls 102, Pelicans 89

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