The Pelicans overturned an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to give themselves a chance to steal a win away from the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, but New Orleans’ frantic comeback bid fell apart in the final minutes and the Bulls held on for a 128-124 win.
The comeback ended in earnest with a pair of late Zion Williamson misses at the free-throw line. With the Pelicans trailing 117-113, Williamson was fouled and had a chance to cut the deficit to two with 1:23 remaining. After clanging both, Bulls big man Wendell Carter Jr. pulled down a crucial offensive rebound on the other end and scored a put-back to restore the Bulls’ lead to six.
The Pelicans managed to hang around in the final minute thanks to the Bulls’ inexplicable inability to refrain from fouling while trying to protect a lead, but Chicago executed from the foul line, and New Orleans didn’t have enough time to close the gap.
