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Pelicans Drop Bulls; Acquire Wizards Star

Julius Randle scored 31 points to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 125-120 victory on Wednesday night over the Chicago Bulls.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Jrue Holiday and Cheick Diallo each scored 18, and Chicago product Jahlil Okafor finished with 13 points.

 

Luari 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.

 

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.

 

The Bulls visit Brooklyn on Friday.

 

>>Bulls Acquire Otto Porter Jr. From Wizards

 

According to a report from Shams Charania, the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls have agreed to a deal that will send Otto Porter Jr. to the Bulls, while Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis head to the Wizards. In addition, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Wizards will also get a 2023 second-round pick. 

 

Portis is coming off of his best game of the season, a 33-point, nine-rebound performance over the Hornets, however, he is set to be a restricted free agent this summer, however, and should be looking for a decent amount of money. With Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. set as the team's frontcourt of the future, there was no reason for them to spend on Portis to be their third big man. 

 

Porter's versatility on the wing is a much smoother fit, and he can slide right into the starting lineup. He's also locked in for next season, and has a player option he's likely to take for 2020-21. That gives them a very good young player for a few years -- something they were unlikely to find in free agency given their team's current status. 

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