Bulls can’t handle hometown boy Davis in loss to Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS — It had been awhile since the Bulls were able to face off against the hometown kid.

Since being drafted by New Orleans in 2012, Anthony Davis had missed two of the four meetings because of injury, including the game in Chicago on Dec. 2.

But as the Bulls found out in a 88-79 loss Saturday, the reports of his improvement were not exaggerated.

Davis, who played his high school ball at Perspectives Charter, was a matchup problem all night, scoring 24 points, grabbing eight rebounds and blocking six shots in carrying the Pelicans (20-26) to the victory.

As for the Bulls (23-23), all that positivity after the win at San Antonio to start this six-game road trip was wiped out in one offensively challenged evening. The team shot just 38 percent and had 14 shots blocked.

“I saw first-hand this summer with USA Basketball how much he’s grown,’’ Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said of Davis. “His fu- ture is very, very bright. Not many guys are 20-and-10 in this league, and you can tell he’s gotten a lot more comfortable shooting the ball. He has a very unique skillset, great impact on the game defensively, he can cover for mistakes, his athleticism is through the roof, and he’s a great kid.

“That’s the type of guy you want to build your team around. What he’s doing is incredible and it will only get better.’’

Davis had no problem making his argument of being an All-Star snub as far as the Bulls players were concerned.

“I had a chance to have a close look at him through USA and stuff, and I just think his confidence over the years has been building and building,’’ Taj Gibson said of Davis. “You can see a lot of different things he’s doing better, and it’s a sight to see.

“I think (he was a snub). There’s a lot of All-Star snubs but that’s how the NBA is. Every team deserves somebody to get in, but he’s definitely one of them.’’

The Bulls were led by D.J. Augustin, who had 23 points. Joakim Noah had 14 points and 16 rebounds.