Zach Lavin scored 32 points, DeMar DeRozan scored 26 and the Chicago Bulls beat New Orleans 128-112 in their home opener Friday night.
Chicago's Lonzo Ball finished with a triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against his old club. The Bulls made their fans happy and they won with ease.
Since the 2019-20 season, LaVine has welcomed a large audience before the start of the first game at the United Center, and there is no capacity limit on the cheers of the fans, and LaVine has made a dazzling display.
The All-Star and Olympic gold medalist scored 20 points late in the first half to help Chicago take a 65-47 lead into the locker room and shoot six three-pointers in the game.
DeRozan and Ball were two of Chicago's offseason acquisitions that cheered fans. For the first time since the team won their first three games in the 2016-17 season, the Bulls achieved a 41-41 record of 2-0.
Brandon Ingram scored 26 points for New Orleans. Derwent Graham scored 21 points and Jonas Valanciunas scored 18 points. But the Pelicans trailed 2-0 under rookie coach Willie Green after opening losses to Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.
DeRozan played an important role in the early days with eight of Chicago's first 12 points, including a thunderous dunk from Ball's pass.
LaVine scored 34 points against Detroit until he scored a bottom-corner three-pointer with 5:50 left in the second quarter. But he took off there, shooting another three-pointer from beyond the three-point line while scoring another 17 points just before halftime as the Bulls entered the locker room with an 18-point lead.
The fans were so excited that they chanted "MVP!" MVP！ Alex Caruso scored a layup late in the half.
Pelicans: Hart (right quadriceps), a starter in the starting lineup reshuffled due to Williamson's absence, is unable to play. Green said he withdrew from the opener and went day in and day out.
Bulls: White (left shoulder) is still out after offseason surgery. ...... Coach Billy Donovan said F Patrick Williams had no restrictions after a left shoulder strain in the opener. The sophomore professional also sprained his left ankle during an optional training session on September 15.
Next
Pelicans: Visit Minnesota on Saturday.
Bulls: Home to Detroit on Saturday