Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 13 rebounds for his 31st triple-double this season, and the Chicago Bulls beat the New Orleans Pelicans 114-106 to sweep the season series.

NEW ORLEANS – Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 13 rebounds for his 31st triple-double this season, and the Chicago Bulls beat the New Orleans Pelicans 114-106 on Sunday night to sweep the season series.

DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points, including a 3-pointer from the left wing with 30 seconds left to give the Bulls a 111-106 lead. Ayo Desunmu added 21 points for Chicago, which also finished with a significant advantage at the foul line, making 19 of 21 free throws while New Orleans made 10 of 14.

Zion Williamson scored 19 points, tied a career high with 11 assists and grabbed nine rebounds for the Pelicans, who lost their second straight game after winning eight of nine. Brandon Ingram, returning from a two-game absence due to a non-COVID-related illness, scored 22 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 17 rebounds for New Orleans.

The Pelicans led by 12 points when rookie Jordan Hawkins hit a floater to make it 82-70 late in the third quarter. But Chicago responded by scoring the final 11 points of the quarter, starting with Vucevic’s 3-pointer and ending with Jevon Carter’s rainbow shot near the baseline to make it 82-81.

New Orleans is playing without two regular ball handlers, including starting guard CJ McCollum, who led the Pelicans to a 106-95 loss to Miami on Friday because of a sprained left ankle.

Also included were reserve point guard Jose Alvarado and reserve wing Naji Marshall, who were suspended for their involvement in a fight with Heat players.

Williamson and Jones were the primary ball handlers in a starting lineup that also included Valanciunas, Ingram and Murphy.

That appeared to be a problem in the first quarter, when the Pelicans turned the ball over seven times. The Bulls closed the opening period on an 18-3 run, with Dosunmu hitting twice from deep. DeRozan made a 3 and converted a three-point play with a pull-up when he was fouled by Jeremiah Robinson-Earl on a breakaway layup, giving Chicago a 28 lead -21.

The Pelicans did not turn the ball over and found a more offensive rhythm in the second half, outscoring the Bulls 39-29. Ingram scored 13 points in the period and Murphy’s third 3-pointer gave New Orleans a 60-57 lead at the break.