New Orleans @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2017 ) New Orleans 108, Chicago 95

The Chicago Bulls are fresh off their best effort of the season and look to win consecutive games for the first time when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Chicago had seven players score in double digits and was 14-of-29 from 3-point range as it recorded an impressive 105-83 victory over Orlando on Friday after losing five of its first six games.

Shooting guard Justin Holiday scored a team-best 19 points and the Bulls were stingy on defense against the Magic while establishing a season low for points allowed. "We took a big step forward," Holiday told reporters. "That builds confidence. It's the best we've played so far. If we can play aggressive defense like we did, and play together like this, we can be a tough team to beat." New Orleans has dropped six straight games against Chicago and is hoping the star tandem of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins can put an end to that dismal skid. Davis recorded 30 points and 13 rebounds and Cousins contributed 20 and 22 in Friday's 99-94 road victory over Dallas.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, NBCSN Chicago

ABOUT THE PELICANS (4-5): Having Davis and Cousins post huge performances in the same game is a pretty good tonic for success, and the latter also recorded seven assists while posting his second 20-point, 20-rebound outing of the season. Cousins has posted eight double-doubles in nine games and Davis is right behind him with seven in eight contests. "Obviously, I like our two big guys that we have," coach Alvin Gentry told reporters after the win over Dallas. "They are pretty good in the post and pretty good outside. The thing that I love is that they are also unselfish players."

ABOUT THE BULLS (2-5): Holiday is averaging 15.3 points and is in a starting role while offseason acquisition Zach LaVine recovers from an ACL injury, while rookie Lauri Markkanen is living up to his billing with team-best averages of 16.6 points and 9.3 rebounds. The plan was to bring Markkanen off the bench, but the preseason altercation between fellow forwards Nikola Mirotic (facial fractures) and Bobby Portis, who was suspended eight games for punching his teammate, forced an audible. The 7-foot Markkanen has scored in double digits in all seven games and has been superb as a 3-point shooter, making 20-of-47 attempts.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Bulls have swept eight of their last 11 season series against the Pelicans.

2. New Orleans PG Jrue Holiday - the younger brother of Justin - was just 3-of-13 against Dallas after shooting 50 percent or better in four consecutive contests.

3. Chicago PG Kris Dunn made three 3-pointers against Orlando and has tallied 11 points in each of the past two games.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 97, Bulls 95