The Chicago Bulls ran out of gas a quarter mile from the finish line on Tuesday. The Bulls had carved a New Orleans Pelicans 13-point lead to four points in less than two minutes. Every ounce of momentum in the building was behind the home team.

Zion Williamson had another strong performance, scoring 21 points on 10/14 shooting and dishing nine assists. He came close to his first-triple double of the year after collecting seven rebounds in a very efficient night for the Pelicans.

The Bulls' front office hasn't said anything about its plan as the trade deadline Feb. 6 nears, but losses such as the one Tuesday to the nine-win Pelicans should be all the information it needs.