New Orleans Pelicans stun Chicago Bulls in surprising defensive collapse
The New Orleans Pelicans have had a rocky start to their season, with only five wins to their name. Remarkably, two of those victories have come at the expense of the Chicago Bulls. The latest encounter showcased both the Bulls’ offensive struggles and a dramatic defensive breakdown, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s direction.
An Ice Cold Start
From the outset, the Chicago Bulls’ offense resembled a beautifully decorated cake that tasted like Malort—visually appealing yet ultimately disappointing. The initial signs were promising, with solid ball movement and an encouraging energy in transition. However, any optimism quickly evaporated when the numbers were scrutinized.
In the first half, the Bulls managed just 17 field goals on 50 attempts, resulting in a dismal shooting percentage of 34%. This marked their second-worst first-half performance of the season. Despite generating decent looks, particularly in the paint, they converted only 15 of 30 attempts. Nikola Vucevic’s struggles were glaring; he ended the half with a mere 1-for-8 shooting performance, a stark contrast to his previous outings.
The Bulls’ three-point shooting was equally troubling. They attempted 29 shots from beyond the arc, making just six. Given the Pelicans’ lack of a proven rim protector, it was puzzling that the Bulls opted for so many long-range efforts instead of attacking the rim. This trend persisted into the second half, where their first six attempts were again from three-point range, with only Isaac Okoro finding success. The Pelicans capitalized on this, launching a 10-3 run that gave them their largest lead of the night at 62-50.
Vucevic’s Second Chance
Despite his lackluster first half, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan opted to give Vucevic another opportunity, reintroducing him for the final 7:22 of the game. While he managed to score eight points, six of those came from two late three-pointers when the Bulls were down by 14. Overall, Vucevic finished with 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting, registering a team-low minus-11 in 31 minutes.
This was a critical moment for Vucevic to assert himself as a leader against a relatively inexperienced Pelicans squad, but he fell short. With neither Collins nor Smith making much of an impact in their limited minutes, the Bulls’ frontcourt struggles raise serious questions about Vucevic’s future role on the team.
Defensive Collapse
Just as it seemed the Bulls had found some offensive rhythm, their defense faltered catastrophically. While the Pelicans had their own offensive struggles throughout the game, they found their footing in the second half. Rookie Jeremiah Fears emerged as a significant contributor, either scoring or assisting on 18 points in the fourth quarter while also making two steals.
Zion Williamson, returning from a six-game absence, proved to be a game-changer. Coming off the bench, he scored seven crucial points in the final minutes, solidifying the Pelicans’ lead. His previous impact against the Bulls was evident, and he seemed equally poised to contribute again.
Entering the final quarter with only a one-point advantage, the Bulls allowed the Pelicans to shoot an impressive 53.8% from the field, including a flawless 9-of-13 in the restricted area. The Pelicans also capitalized at the free-throw line, converting all eight attempts. This defensive breakdown raises further questions about Donovan’s decision to rely on Vucevic in crucial moments instead of exploring other lineup options.
Player Grades and Future Outlook
As the Bulls process this disappointing defeat, individual performances will be scrutinized. The team’s ability to bounce back from such a defensive collapse will be critical in the upcoming games. With the Pelicans exploiting their weaknesses, the Bulls must reassess their approach and strategies if they hope to find success moving forward.
