Despite the narrow final score, the New Orleans Pelicans opening preseason game against the Chicago Bulls was a tale of extremes.
After the first twelve minutes of play, the Pelicans had totaled more points (46) than in any quarter of any regular season game last season. But just as easily as the offense was flowing, that well dried up quickly after halftime. An early second quarter 17-point lead morphed into a 1-point deficit near the middle of the third quarter.
Meanwhile, New Orleans defense, which was expected to be a reliable staple heading into the upcoming season, was nowhere to be found.