The Bulls Fall to the Pelicans in Game 4

Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen made his NBA debut.  He was the 7th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He was recently acquired by the Bulls along with Zach LaVine in the Jimmy Butler trade. However, Markkanen couldn’t find his rhythm on Sunday night. He went 0 for 6 from the 3-point line, but he finished with 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.   “I’m not lacking in confidence, the shots weren’t falling. It felt surreal to be on an NBA court,” Markkanen explained. It will take some time for him to get adjusted and find his game. “We want hime aggressive.  When he’s open, we want him shooting the ball.  It was a great first experience for Lauri to get out there against two of the better bigs in the league.  Coach Holberg said.  The Bulls kept it close during the first half and tried to make a drive in the third quarter, but fell short.  For the Bulls, Denzel Valentine finished with 15 points, and was 3 for 7 from the 3-point line.  Mitotic, Lopez, and Holiday all scored 13 points, Felicio with 10 rebounds, and Jerian Grant, with 11 points and five assists.  For the Pelicans, Chicago native Anthony Davis finished with 37 points and 15 rebounds, DeMarcus Cousins 22 points-9 rebounds-9 assists, and Jrue Holiday scored 19.  The Bulls definitely have to work on their defense and field goal percentage.  They could’t get the repeat performance from game 1 they had against the Pelicans, but they still fought to the end.  Unlike in game 1, the Bulls made 16 of 35 3-point shots, but was 11 for 41 tonight.  “They played their guys, and we hung in there with them. We kept clawing and scratching and fighting. That’s what this team has to do if we’re going to have a chance in the fourth quarter.” Hoiberg explained.  The final score Bulls 95 , Pelicans 108.  The 2-2 Bulls will face 0-3 Cavaliers in their fifth preseason game in Cleveland on Tuesday night.