Chicago Bulls vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Game Outlook for Saturday Afternoon

Dec 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) dives for the ball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) dives for the ball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
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Taj Gibson, PF/C, Chicago Bulls
Dec 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) dives for the ball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s take a look at the matchup between the Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday evening.

Saturday marks the fourth game of the week for the sub-.500 Chicago Bulls. They’ve lost the previous three games and currently sit a game behind the Charlotte Hornets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

As for the New Orleans Pelicans, they too only sit a game back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Chicago’s own Anthony Davis has been freakishly good this season when healthy and it’s no surprise that he’s in the thick of a loaded NBA MVP race, along with the Bulls’ own star: Jimmy Butler.

Butler, who hasn’t played in a game for the Bulls since Monday because of a flu bug, is questionable for Saturday’s game. Nikola Mirotic will not play because of that same flu issue, while Denzel Valentine — who had a big game against the Washington Wizards earlier in the week — is questionable, too.

Here’s a quick preview of Saturday’s game, starting with the one they call “The Brow”.