Bulls (38-39), Pelicans (33-44)
Chicago pushed New Orleans to the brink of mathematical elimination in the Western Conference, riding a huge offensive performance by Jimmy Butler to a vital road victory Sunday. The Bulls All-Star rang up 22 points prior to intermission, then added 17 more in the second half en route to a 39-point night. Chicago ended New Orleans’ six-game home winning streak, while picking up a win that kept it in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, in the thick of a tight race with multiple teams.
The Pelicans, who had not lost in the Smoothie King Center since March 8 vs.