Morning Box Score: Defense Dominant For Bulls

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 8, 2015 4:45PM

Bulls 107, New Orleans 72
The Bulls' team defense (or lack of) has been an ongoing talking point all season among analysts and fans, but if the team can play "D" the way they did at Smoothie King Arena Saturday night, expect a deep playoff run once the team gets healthy.

The Bulls had one of their best all-around games in recent memory as they clamped down on defense and held the Pelicans to a combined 36 points in the second and third quarters. The Bulls opened the second half with a 20-3 run and led by as many as 29 points in the second half as they cruised to victory. The cushion allowed coach Tom Thibodeau to go easy on his player minutes.

Pau Gasol had one of his better games in recent weeks with 20 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Derrick Rose scored 20 points, Tony Snell scored 19 and Jimmy Butler added 18 for Chicago. Tyreke Evans led New Orleans with 15 points and budding superstar Anthony Davis had a game he'd rather forget with eight points and five rebounds.