Game ID: 22400557
New Orleans Pelicans @ Chicago Bulls
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
United Center, Chicago, IL
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
CHI 33 26 27 27 113NOP 29 24 33 33 119
CHI vs NOP ScoutingCHI vs NOP Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
CHI availability going into 1/06 · 1 day's restOUT Dosunmu missed 5 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Giddey back 12/28 after 4, 29 min since (97% of 30)
BACK Ball back 12/28 after 2, 23 min since (105% of 22)
BACK Craig back 12/26 after 9, 15 min since (123% of 12)
CHI availability going into 1/08 · 1 day's restOUT Dosunmu missed 6 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Giddey back 12/28 after 4, 30 min since (98% of 30)
BACK Ball back 12/28 after 2, 23 min since (106% of 22)
NEW Williams 25 to 31 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT Dosunmu missed 7 since 12/26, out tonight
CHI availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Dosunmu missed 8 since 12/26, out tonight
CHI availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Dosunmu missed 9 since 12/26, out tonight
CHI availability going into 1/15 · back-to-backOUT Dosunmu missed 10 since 12/26, returns tonight: 25 min (83% of 30)
CHI availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restBACK Dosunmu back 1/15 after 10, 25 min since (83% of 30)
CHI availability going into 1/19 · 1 day's restBACK Dosunmu back 1/15 after 10, 27 min since (88% of 30)
CHI availability going into 1/20 · back-to-backBACK Dosunmu back 1/15 after 10, 28 min since (94% of 30)
NOP availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 27 since 11/08, returns tonight: 28 min (97% of 29)
OUT Green missed 2 since 1/03, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 14 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 15 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 5 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 9 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Alvarado back 1/03 after 23, 16 min since (66% of 24)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/03 after 2, 7 min since (35% of 19)
NOP availability going into 1/08 · back-to-backOUT Green missed 3 since 1/03, returns tonight: 29 min (132% of 22)
OUT Payton missed 15 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 16 since 12/02, returns tonight: 6 min (32% of 19)
OUT Reeves missed 6 since 12/27, returns tonight: 6 min (40% of 15)
OUT Cain missed 10 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 1/07 after 27, 28 min since (97% of 29)
BACK Alvarado back 1/03 after 23, 17 min since (71% of 24)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/03 after 2, 11 min since (61% of 19)
NOP availability going into 1/10 · 1 day's restOUT Murphy III missed 2 since 1/07, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 16 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 11 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 1/07 after 27, 28 min since (97% of 29)
BACK Alvarado back 1/03 after 23, 18 min since (74% of 24)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 29 min since (132% of 22)
BACK Matković back 1/08 after 16, 6 min since (32% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/03 after 2, 14 min since (72% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 1/08 after 6, 6 min since (40% of 15)
NOP availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Murphy III missed 3 since 1/07, returns tonight: 39 min (111% of 35)
OUT Williamson missed 2 since 1/08, returns tonight: 28 min (98% of 29)
OUT Payton missed 17 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 12 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Alvarado back 1/03 after 23, 19 min since (78% of 24)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 27 min since (125% of 22)
BACK Matković back 1/08 after 16, 6 min since (32% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/03 after 2, 15 min since (81% of 19)
BACK Reeves back 1/08 after 6, 6 min since (40% of 15)
NOP availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 2 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 18 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 2 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 2 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 13 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 39 min since (111% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/07 after 27, 28 min since (98% of 29)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 25 min since (113% of 22)
NOP availability going into 1/15 · back-to-backOUT Jones missed 3 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 19 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 3 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Robinson-Earl missed 2 since 1/12, returns tonight: 9 min (48% of 19)
OUT Reeves missed 3 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 14 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 38 min since (108% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/07 after 27, 27 min since (93% of 29)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 26 min since (117% of 22)
NOP availability going into 1/17 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 4 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 20 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 4 since 1/10, returns tonight: 4 min (23% of 19)
OUT Reeves missed 4 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 15 since 12/19, returns tonight: 2 min (18% of 14)
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 38 min since (109% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/12 after 2, 26 min since (91% of 29)
BACK Green back 1/08 after 3, 26 min since (119% of 22)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/15 after 2, 9 min since (48% of 19)
NOP availability going into 1/20 · 2 days' restOUT Jones missed 5 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 21 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 5 since 1/10, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 38 min since (108% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/12 after 2, 25 min since (87% of 29)
BACK Matković back 1/17 after 4, 4 min since (23% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/15 after 2, 15 min since (78% of 19)
BACK Cain back 1/17 after 15, 2 min since (18% of 14)
NEW Theis 16 to 22 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 1/24 · 3 days' restOUT Jones missed 6 since 1/10, out tonight
OUT Missi missed 2 since 1/17, returns tonight: 30 min (110% of 27)
OUT Boston missed 2 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Payton missed 22 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Reeves missed 6 since 1/10, out tonight
BACK Murphy III back 1/12 after 3, 39 min since (112% of 35)
BACK Williamson back 1/12 after 2, 25 min since (87% of 29)
BACK Matković back 1/17 after 4, 10 min since (52% of 19)
BACK Robinson-Earl back 1/15 after 2, 15 min since (79% of 19)
BACK Cain back 1/17 after 15, 2 min since (18% of 14)
NEW Theis 16 to 26 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 44 from three, 17 free throws a game; LaVine at 34 and White at 22 a game. Without Dosunmu (9 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Murray at 21 and McCollum at 21 a game. Without Jones (2 straight), Payton (18 straight), Matković (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 44 percent from three to New Orleans's 38 and the defense, New Orleans allowing 111 a night to Chicago's 119. Call it Chicago 119, New Orleans 113.
1/06 vs SAS 114-110 — CHI notes
CHI won 114-110. CHI shot 43% (44 of 102) to SAS's 46%, 13 of 39 from three. LaVine led with 35 (13 of 25, 3 of 6 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Vučević added 24, White 23. The hinge was Q4, 32-15: CHI came in trailing by 13 and left it ahead by 4. CHI trailed 50-65 at the half and won the second half 64-45. LaVine was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
1/08 @ IND 113-129 — CHI notes
CHI lost 113-129. CHI shot 51% (44 of 86) to IND's 52%, 12 of 35 from three. CHI turned it over 18 times to IND's 8, and IND turned those into 11 steals. LaVine led with 31 (12 of 20, 2 of 6 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); White added 19, Smith 13. Q4 was theirs, 37-29, the deficit cut from 24 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 100-76 against them. Vučević's -22 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/10 vs WAS 138-105 — CHI notes
CHI won 138-105. CHI shot 56% (53 of 95) to WAS's 40%, 23 of 49 from three. The glass went 55-45 for them. LaVine led with 33 (14 of 21, 3 of 7 from three); Vučević added 23, White 15. The hinge was Q3, 41-24: a lead of 10 became 27, and the lead reached 35. LaVine was the night's best plus/minus at +34.
1/12 vs SAC 119-124 — CHI notes
CHI lost 119-124. CHI shot 46% (43 of 93) to SAC's 49%, 18 of 37 from three. LaVine led with 36 (12 of 24, 5 of 8 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Vučević added 18, Ball 15. Q2 was theirs, 33-29, turning a 2-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 95-86 against them. Horton-Tucker's -12 in 17 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/14 vs NOP 113-119 — CHI notes
CHI lost 113-119. CHI shot 44% (45 of 102) to NOP's 44%, 14 of 43 from three, and got to the line just 12 times against 19 fouls committed. CHI turned it over 15 times to NOP's 10, and NOP turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 57-46 for them. LaVine led with 25 (10 of 22, 4 of 6 from three); Vučević added 22, White 22. Q1 was theirs, 33-29, but the other 3 periods went 90-80 against them. Williams's -19 in 20 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/15 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 16 free throws a game; LaVine at 32 and White at 20 a game. Without Dosunmu (10 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 19 free throws a game; Young at 28 and Hunter at 12 a game. Without Johnson (4 straight), Nance Jr. (7 straight), Wallace (6 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-1 a night and Atlanta minus-4. Call it Chicago 121, Atlanta 116.
1/17 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 15 free throws a game; LaVine at 28 and White at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 110, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Ball at 27 and Bridges at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Gra. Williams (21 straight), Mann (22 straight), Simpson (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the line, where Charlotte takes 24 free throws a game to Chicago's 15 and the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-8 a night and Chicago plus-2. Call it Chicago 115, Charlotte 112, Charlotte keeping it close.
1/19 @ POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 122, shooting 41 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Henderson at 20 and Sharpe at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Avdija (3 straight), Thybulle (41 straight), Clingan (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 14 free throws a game; LaVine at 26 and Vučević at 23 a game. That is 4 straight losses. One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-3 a night and Portland minus-8. Call it Chicago 119, Portland 112.
1/20 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 96, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Powell at 24 and Harden at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 16 free throws a game; LaVine at 24 and Vučević at 22 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 96 a night to Chicago's 118 and the line, where the Clippers take 24 free throws a game to Chicago's 16. Call it the Clippers 117, Chicago 106, the Clippers by 11.
1/07 vs MIN 97-104 — NOP notes
NOP lost 97-104. NOP shot 37% (35 of 94) to MIN's 43%, 12 of 41 from three. Murray led with 29 (12 of 20, 2 of 8 from three, 3 of 6 at the line); Williamson added 22, Alvarado 13. Q2 was theirs, 21-20, the deficit cut from 1 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 84-76 against them. McCollum's -15 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/08 vs POR 100-119 — NOP notes
NOP lost 100-119. NOP shot 44% (40 of 90) to POR's 55%, 12 of 37 from three. McCollum led with 23 (10 of 17, 3 of 7 from three); Murray added 20, Hawkins 10. Q3 was theirs, 34-23, the deficit cut from 33 to 22, but the other 3 periods went 96-66 against them. Murray's -27 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/10 @ PHI 123-115 — NOP notes
NOP won 123-115. NOP shot 48% (44 of 91) to PHI's 46%, 18 of 40 from three, and went to the line 26 times to PHI's 19 — 17 points from the stripe to their 17. McCollum led with 38 (13 of 24, 6 of 11 from three, 6 of 11 at the line); Hawkins added 21, Murray 17. The hinge was Q1, 28-24: from level to 4 ahead, and the lead reached 16. Alvarado was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
1/12 @ BOS 119-120 — NOP notes
NOP lost 119-120. NOP shot 47% (40 of 86) to BOS's 44%, 17 of 37 from three. The glass went 42-55 against them. Murphy III led with 30 (10 of 17, 5 of 10 from three); Murray added 26, Williamson 16. Q1 was theirs, 35-29, but the other 3 periods went 91-84 against them. They led by as many as 11. Hawkins's -10 in 13 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/14 @ CHI 119-113 — NOP notes
NOP won 119-113. NOP shot 44% (42 of 96) to CHI's 44%, 14 of 50 from three, and went to the line 26 times to CHI's 12 — 21 points from the stripe to their 9. NOP turned it over 10 times to CHI's 15. The glass went 46-57 against them. Murphy III led with 32 (9 of 20, 2 of 13 from three, 12 of 12 at the line); Williamson added 21, Murray 15. The hinge was Q3, 33-27: NOP came in trailing by 6 and left it level, and the lead reached 16. NOP trailed 53-59 at the half and won the second half 66-54. Alvarado was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
1/15 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murray at 21 and Williamson at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (3 straight), Payton (19 straight), Robinson-Earl (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Washington at 15 and Dinwiddie at 13 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Edwards (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: New Orleans wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it New Orleans 113, Dallas 112, Dallas keeping it close.
1/17 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 29 and Murray at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Jones (4 straight), Payton (20 straight), Matković (4 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 113, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Markkanen at 27 and Sexton at 22 a game. Without Markkanen (2 straight), Collins (6 straight), Clarkson (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it New Orleans 115, Utah 112, Utah keeping it close.
1/20 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and Williamson at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Jones (5 straight), Payton (21 straight), Reeves (5 straight). 2 days' rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 115, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Sensabaugh at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Markkanen (3 straight), Collins (7 straight), Clarkson (7 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the arc, New Orleans at 39 percent from three to Utah's 33 and the line, where New Orleans takes 27 free throws a game to Utah's 20. Call it New Orleans 118, Utah 112.
1/24 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Bane at 23 and Morant at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Smart (15 straight), Williams Jr. (29 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 27 free throws a game; Murphy III at 26 and Murray at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Jones (6 straight), Missi (2 straight), Boston (2 straight). 3 days' rest.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the line, where New Orleans takes 27 free throws a game to Memphis's 20 and the glass, where Memphis has been plus-0 a night and New Orleans minus-4. Call it Memphis 122, New Orleans 115.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
CHICW C. White
DT D. Terry
JG J. Giddey
JP J. Phillips
JS J. Smith
LB L. Ball
MB M. Buzelis
NV N. Vučević
PW P. Williams
TH T. Horton-Tucker
VU Vucevic
ZL Z. LaVine
NOPBB B. Boston
CM C. McCollum
DM D. Murray
DT D. Theis
JA J. Alvarado
JG J. Green
JH J. Hawkins
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
ZW Z. Williamson
CHI/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Murphy and Williamson carry the Pelicans to a 119-113 win over the Bulls
CHICAGO -- — Trey Murphy III scored 32 points and Zion Williamson added 21 as the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Chicago Bulls 119-113 on Tuesday night.
Williamson, in his third game since returning from a left hamstring strain and a one-game suspension, led the Pelicans in rebounds (seven) and assists (nine). Murphy shot 9 for 20 from the field — just 2 for 13 from 3-point distance — and was helped by hitting all 12 of his free throws.
The Pelicans, who are last in the Western Conference, have won four of their last seven games to improve to 9-32.
Zach LaVine , limited to two points in the first half, finished with 25 points for the Bulls. Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Coby White scored 22.
Takeaways Pelicans: New Orleans struggled early, hitting 36.5% of its shots and going 4 for 24 from deep in the first two periods. In the second, the Pelicans made 10 of 25 3-pointers and shot 52.3% overall.
Bulls: LaVine’s 30-point hot streak ended at six games as Chicago’s star guard had just two points on 1-of-7 shooting at the half.
Key moment With the game tied at 88, the Pelicans went on a 10-2 run to jump out an eight-point lead. Jose Alvarado hit two 3s to make the score 98-90, forcing Bulls coach Billy Donovan to call a timeout.
Key stat New Orleans shot 12 for 22 in the fourth quarter while Chicago was 12 of 32. After entering the final period tied at 86, the Pelicans outscored the Bulls 33-27.
Up next New Orleans will host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Chicago is back in action on Wednesday, hosting Atlanta.