Julius Randle takes charge as Pelicans beat Bulls without Davis
New Orleans Pelicans center Julius Randle (30) looks to pass the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Kris Dunn (32), guard Shaquille Harrison (3) and center Robin Lopez (42) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, in Chicago. The Pelicans won 125-120. (AP Photo/David Banks)
CHICAGO — Anthony Davis watched near the end of the bench, looking sharp in a maroon sport coat as he waited to see if the New Orleans Pelicans would grant his wish.
The All-Star forward wants to be traded. The Pelicans didn’t need him to beat the struggling Chicago Bulls.
Julius Randle scored 31 points to lead New Orleans to a 125-120 victory on Wednesday night.
Davis was healthy enough to return from a sprained left index finger that has sidelined him since Jan. 18. But the Pelicans opted to hold him out with Thursday’s trade deadline approaching.
The six-time All-Star has made it known he wants out of New Orleans. He was even fined $50,000 by the NBA after his agent went public with that request.
Davis’ teammates would hate to see him go.
“Selfishly, I would love to be by him every day like I have been this year,” fellow Chicago product Jahlil Okafor said. “At the end of the day I want him to be happy. If I’m being selfish, of course I’m going to say I want you to be my teammate.”
Jrue Holiday insisted it won’t be awkward if Davis isn’t dealt.
“Still a professional, still love having him around,” Holiday said. “Again, he’s like a brother to all of us. Having him here would be a joy.”
Randle scored 19 in a blistering fourth quarter and finished six points shy of his season high.
He hit 4 of 6 3-pointers and shot 10 of 18 overall, helping the Pelicans pick up the win after losing six of seven.
Holiday and Cheick Diallo each scored 18, and Chicago product Jahlil Okafor finished with 13 points.
The Bulls agreed to trade Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis to Washington for Otto Porter Jr. shortly before tipoff. Then, they lost for the 16th time in 18 games.
“Everybody’s gotta step up,” Lauri Markkanen said. “I thought the guys that played, they played well. We just adjust. Change is always tough, but next man up. It’s not the first time. I can’t say too much about it.”
Markkanen led Chicago with 30 points and 10 rebounds. He tied a season high by nailing 5 of 10 3’s.
Zach LaVine scored 28, and Kris Dunn added 18 points and eight assists.
“We’ve got to do the little things,” Dunn said. “The little things help us win games, get over the hump, and that’s what we have to do. There’s some great fans. The journey we’ve been going through, it’s a roller-coaster ride, and they keep showing up to the building. We definitely appreciate that.”
Randle hit two 3-pointers in a span of just over a minute in the fourth quarter to make it 113-100 with 4:05 left. LaVine drove for a dunk to cut it to 123-118 with 10.9 seconds remaining, but Randle then hit two free throws to make it a seven-point game.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: F Nikola Mirotic (strained right calf) missed his seventh consecutive game. He has not played in Chicago since the Bulls traded him to New Orleans last February. … With Randle leading the way, New Orleans’ reserves outscored Chicago’s 63-27.
Bulls: G Denzel Valentine, who had season-ending surgery on his left ankle in November, said he is able to do some resistance work. … Chicago scored 65 in its second-highest scoring first half of the season. … Porter, Parker and Portis will see their former teams when the Wizards visit the Bulls on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Host Minnesota on Friday.
Bulls: Visit Brooklyn on Friday.
