Bulls at Pelicans 1/22/18 - NBA Picks & Prediction

The Bulls and Pelicans are both playing well at the moment, which could make for an interesting game when they play Monday in New Orleans. The Pelicans beat the bulls in overtime back in November in Chicago when both teams were struggling. Both teams have won three of the last four games. They both are still inconsistent. Chicago is 5-5 for January and New Orleans is 6-3 for the month. New Orleans will be coming in on a day of rest, and Chicago will have played the night before in Atlanta.

The Pelicans have gotten the most of their twin towers recently. Anthony Davis has had two 45-plus point nights in the last five games, and one 36-point game. Davis has 24 double-doubles this season. Davis is averaging 26.5 points and 10.6 rebounds. DeMarcus Cousins is averaging 25.2 points and 12.6 rebounds. When defenses try to contain them, Jru Holiday has been knocking down three-pointers, and is averaging 18.8 points. The Bulls are a different team now that Nikola Mirotic has returned to the lineup. The Bulls are 15-8 after his return, and they are 18-28 overall. Lauri Markkanen has also had a big impact as a rookie. Last week he hit his 100th three-pointer. It was the fewest games needed for that since the three-point line was introduced is 1979. Mirotic leads the team with 17.3 points per game, and Markkanen is averaging 15.5. Point guard Kris Dunn, averaging 13 points and 6.4 assists, is in concussion protocol and will miss the game against New Orleans.