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 The Pelicans have won seven of their last nine to move within a
half-game of the Phoenix Suns, who occupy the eighth and final
playoff spot in the Western Conference. New Orleans split a
home-and-home set with the Oklahoma Thunder after Anthony Davis'
desperation 3-pointer beat the buzzer to give the Pelicans a
memorable 116-113 victory on Friday. New Orleans turns its attention
to defeating an Eastern Conference opponent for the fourth time in
its last five tries and avenging a 107-100 loss to the Bulls on Dec.
27 in the process.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, WGN (Chicago), FSN New Orleans
 ABOUT THE BULLS (30-20): Jimmy Butler led the way with 27 points
while Derrick Rose added 23 versus the Rockets, but went 2-of-9 from
3-point range and is 3-of-22 in his last three outings. Pau Gasol
produced 16 points and 12 rebounds for his league-leading 31st
double-double while Joakim Noah secured 19 boards on Wednesday. "We
need to get wins if we don't want to fall off the train," Gasol told
reporters. "We have to figure out what needs to be done individually
and what needs to be done collectively."
ABOUT THE PELICANS (27-23): Davis was two points shy of matching his
career high as he scored 41 and pulled down 10 rebounds in the win
over Oklahoma City. Davis' 3-pointer was only the third of his
career as the All-Star power forward finished with 30 or more points
for the 13th time this season. Tyreke Evans handed out a
personal-best 16 assists versus the Thunder and has dished out 35 in
his last three outings while Quincy Pondexter added a season-high 15
points off the bench.
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BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Bulls have won 10 of the last 13 meetings with the Pelicans.
2. New Orleans is 17-7 at the Smoothie King Center.
3. Gasol has recorded 10 straight double-doubles.
PREDICTION: Bulls 101, Pelicans 98
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