PJ Washington got the scoring started for the Hornets, who made three of their first four shots as a team in the opening minutes. The starting unit was buoyed by Devonte’ Graham’s hot start, who had 8 points after the first five minutes as the Bulls called timeout with the Hornets up 14-11.
Cody Zeller checked in for the first time since opening night after the timeout and confidently jacked a three soon after; a good sign, no doubt. LaMelo Ball got to the rim and drew a foul twice in his first stint on the floor, but a 10-5 run from Chicago cut the Hornets lead to one point with four minutes left in the first frame.