**Bulls Stumble in Season Opener Against Short-Handed Pelicans**

In their season opener, the Chicago Bulls missed a prime opportunity to start their season strong, succumbing to a 123-111 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Despite a commendable scoring performance from Zach LaVine and an encouraging return for Lonzo Ball, the Bulls couldn't maintain control, leading to a disappointing loss.

Lonzo Ball made his first regular-season appearance since January 14, 2022, and showcased a solid performance, appearing comfortable on the court. His first 3-point attempt was successful, hinting at his consistent form from the preseason. Ball brought back his signature dynamic play with teammate LaVine, highlighted by a spectacular alley-oop in the third quarter. Restricted to 14 minutes, he completed his stint with five points, four assists, two rebounds, and a single turnover.

LaVine, returning as the team leader, set high expectations straight out of the gate. He nailed all five of his 3-point shots in the first half, although he didn't attempt another in the third quarter, cooling off as the game progressed. Nonetheless, he led the team with 27 points but also posted a team-high seven turnovers. "It happens sometimes," LaVine admitted. "You've got to be aggressive. Obviously, we're not trying to turn the ball over, but I've got to do a better job of taking care of it."

Defensive issues plagued the Bulls from the start. On the opening possession, center Nikola Vučević attempted to disrupt a screen, but the help defense was nowhere to be found, allowing the Pelicans an easy backdoor pass for their first points. These defensive lapses persisted throughout the game. Despite not having Zion Williamson, the Pelicans capitalized on lob passes, exploiting the Bulls' lack of size at the rim.

In an attempt to address their defensive shortcomings, the Bulls switched to a zone defense, but the errors and breakdowns continued unabated until the end. Moreover, the Bulls' ambition to play at a faster pace this season, a strategy discussed extensively in the preseason, backfired. The high-speed play led to an increased number of mistakes, overshadowing their efforts.

As the Bulls look ahead, they will need to address their ballhandling woes and defensive gaps if they are to turn their season around and find success in the upcoming games.