Playing a rebuilding team in your first preseason game is the equivalent of using a tee in baseball while everyone else has to bat fast pitch.
The New Orleans Pelicans took advantage of it by dropping an incredible 46 points in the first quarter and dominating the first half.
The game started with a gorgeous drawn up play from Alvin Gentry that got Anthony Davis wide open and most of the rest of the first was just as beautiful to watch.
The Pelicans had a beautiful opening play. pic.twitter.com/9gDkChgma2
— Justin Jett (@JustinJett_) October 4, 2017
The Pels’ big men were simply too good for the Bulls and were dominant for all 24 minutes. Both accumulating incredible stat lines by halftime.
Anthony Davis had 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks while DeMarcus Cousins had 20 points seven rebounds, three assists, one block. An unreal accomplishment for just one half of basketball and a glimpse of what could be, come regular season play.
The third quarter, however, was atrocious as they shot just 2/9 from three and allowed the Bulls to pull within one by the start of the fourth.
Scoring just 16 points in the third quarter after 46 and 23 in the first two.
The defensive communication was not ideal. Multiple times, two Pelicans ran to the same player, leaving one Bull wide open. This will be something they will need to work on over the next couple weeks.
Chicago was also just simply money from three-point range, finishing 15/34 from distance while the Pelicans shot just 10/32.
The game unraveled some in the fourth as most starters were pulled from the game and turnovers and fouls became the dominant factor.
The game was iced as Jarell Eddie hit a three to put the Bulls up by four points with minimal time left. The game finished with the Bulls on top 113 to 109 with Davis, Cousins, Jrue Holiday, E’Twaun Moore, and Ian Clark all finishing with at least 10 points.
One interesting thing to note is that Jordan Crawford did not enter the game until the fourth quarter. Seeing no playing time before the game devolved into a full-on scrimmage.
He was a big contributor at the end of last season but it looks like he will be fighting for a playoff spot.
Four out of the five Pelicans starters being having a negative +/- against one of the worst teams in the league is also worrisome. Rajon Rondo being the worst at -15. Luckily, final scores and numbers don’t matter much in the preseason and they have plenty of time to redeem themselves.
Next: Anthony Davis Is The Best Player In The NBA (Who Wears A Headband)
The New Orleans Pelicans next chance will be on October sixth against the fellow 0-1 Oklahoma City Thunder, who were beaten by the Chris Paul, James Harden Houston Rockets.