Keys to Chicago Bulls’ home game vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans beat the Bulls 126-109 in their last meeting on March 22.

The Chicago Bulls (6-6) host the New Orleans Pelicans (5-5) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 111-97 home win against the Raptors on Monday behind 30 points from Zach LaVine.

Wednesday, November 9 – 08:00 PM ET at United Center

New Orleans Pelicans

• Points Per Game: 118.5 (1st of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 114.6 (20th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 30.4 (23rd of 30)
• Pace: 99.2 (19th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 115.8 (5th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 112 (17th of 30)
• Net Rating: +3.8 (7th of 30)

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 111.4 (18th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 109.3 (10th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 34.1 (16th of 30)
• Pace: 100.2 (15th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 111.2 (18th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 109.2 (5th of 30)
• Net Rating: +2.1 (11th of 30)

Contain the Pelicans' Big 3

The Pelicans are the NBA's highest-scoring team, averaging 118.5 per game, with most of their points coming from the paint or mid-range. All five Pelicans starters are averaging double digits, led by their Big Three of Zion Williamson (23.1), Brandon Ingram (22.8), and CJ McCollum (20.3).

Jonas Valanciunas (14.4 PPG) is the team's leading rebounder (10.3 RPG) and a dominant paint presence that controls the Pelicans' inside-out dynamic. But most of their offense goes through their Big Three, and finding a way to contain them will be key for the Bulls tonight.

3-point defense

Trey Murphy III is off to an impressive start from long range, shooting 45.5 percent on 5.5 attempts per game. Jose Alvarado converts 42.9 percent of his three-point shots on 3.5 attempts per game and has also made a leap this season.

And while New Orleans sits last in the NBA in three-point attempts (28.6 per game), they are 5th in the league in 3P% (38.8%). The Bulls, on the other hand, have struggled to defend the three-point early into the season -- they allow the 7th highest 3P% (37.3).

Containing the Big Three is a priority for Chicago, but they can't allow the Pelicans to beat them with their outside shooting.

Noteworthy

• The Pelicans won the last meeting 126-109 on March 22. LaVine led the Bulls with 39 points.

• Chicago beat New Orleans three of the last four times.

• The Bulls are 3-7 in the last 10 matchups against the Pelicans.

• Pelicans’ projected lineup: Valanciunas, Williamson, Ingram, Jones, McCollum

• Bulls’ projected lineup: Dosunmu, LaVine, DeRozan, Williams, Vucevic

• Injury Report: Garrett Temple (personal) is out for the Pelicans; Larry Nance Jr. (left knee) is listed as questionable

• Lonzo Ball is out for the Bulls with a knee injury; Andre Drummond is questionable (left shoulder sprain); Coby White will miss tonight's game