Vucevic helps Bulls run past Pacers

Nikola Vucevic took advantage of Indiana’s missing big men by posting 32 points and 17 rebounds to help the visiting Chicago Bulls overwhelm the short-handed Pacers 113-97 Tuesday night.

Chicago has won two straight since snapping a six-game losing streak and moved within one game of the Pacers for the No. 9 spot in the Eastern Conference. Vucevic also had five assists while going 14 of 29 from the field. AllStar Zach LaVine added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The combination was simply too much for Indiana, which started the game without two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis (sprained left ankle) and guard Malcolm Brogdon (sore right hip), before losing Myles Turner in the third quarter with a sprained left ankle.

Caris LeVert led the Pacers with 20 points and six rebounds. Edmond Sumner and Jeremy Lamb each scored 15 points as Indiana lost for the ninth time in 10 home games.

Chicago took control with a 15-3 run early in the second quarter, taking a 45-33 lead. It was never really close afterward. The Bulls led 62-49 at halftime. When the Pacers cut the deficit to 81-72 in the third quarter, Chicago answered with a 9-0 run.

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Hawks 123, Pelicans 107:

Trae Young scored 30 points and helped lead a third-quarter three-point barrage as surging Atlanta beat Zion Williamson and New Orleans.

The Hawks sank each of their 11 three-point attempts in the third, including four from Bogdan Bogdanovic, who had 21 points. Atlanta made 20 of 31 3s overall.

Young also had 12 assists. He made three threes in the third as the Hawks surged to a 107-90 lead following a 61-all halftime tie.

Kevin Huerter had 17 points for Atlanta, which has won four consecutive games to improve to 13-4 under interim coach Nate McMillan. The Hawks (27-24) began the night tied with Miami for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Williamson led the Pelicans with 34 points. Lonzo Ball had 12 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.

After missing three games with a strained right thumb, Williamson returned with a light wrap and showed no sign of being slowed by the injury.

Isaiah Thomas, who signed a 10-day contract on Saturday, had eight points in his debut with New Orleans following one practice with the team.