Overview: Bulls fall again to the Pelicans
The Chicago Bulls suffered a tough 114-104 defeat in New Orleans, extending their recent skid against the Pelicans and marking their second consecutive loss to the same opponent. The game left fans wondering what’s going wrong as the Bulls failed to find a consistent rhythm from beyond the arc and around the basket.
Vucevic and the Bulls’ scoring drought
Nikola Vucevic, a pillar of Chicago’s offense, entered this matchup with expectations of leadership and efficiency. Instead, the big man faced a chilly shooting night that hampered Chicago’s ability to capitalize on key stretches. Early in the game, Vucevic found some touches, but the rhythm didn’t stick. The Pelicans’ defense clogged lanes and forced tougher looks, making it hard for Vucevic to get his mid-range jumper going consistently.
As the game wore on, Chicago’s offense became increasingly dependent on perimeter shots, which didn’t fall with enough frequency to balance New Orleans’ attack. The result: a quiet night in the box score for the Bulls’ star frontcourt duo, with Vucevic contributing in rebounds and facilitation only to a limited scoring footprint.
Key contributors and cold shooting that hurt
Beyond Vucevic, the Bulls received uneven contributions on offense. The team’s shooting split revealed a cold night from three-point land, which allowed the Pelicans to create space and apply pressure early in the shot clock. Chicago showed occasional flashes of movement and ball movement, but without a reliable hot streak, the Pelicans could keep the lead and dictate tempo in the fourth quarter.
In these late-season standings scenarios, Chicago needs consistent weight from its supporting cast. The guard rotation had moments of drive-and-kick playmaking, but slumps from key shooters prevented a sustained push. The Bulls will likely review shot selection and shot preparation to ensure better spacing and opportunities in the next matchup.
Fourth-quarter fade and how it unfolded
The fourth quarter proved decisive, with New Orleans increasing their pace and pressure, while Chicago’s offense stalled. Missed opportunities on back-to-back possessions compounded the issue, and the Pelicans capitalized with efficient scoring to extend the lead. Chicago’s defense did its part at times by forcing turnovers, yet the offense couldn’t convert those chances into points on the other end.
The late-game stretch underscored a recurring theme for the Bulls this season: when the shots aren’t falling, the defense can only do so much. Without a reliable secondary scorer to balance the load, Chicago left the Pelicans with comfortable breathing room down the stretch.
What this means for Chicago’s next steps
With back-to-back losses to the same opponent, the Bulls must reassess offensive packages and rotation patterns. Coaches are likely to emphasize ball movement and high-percentage looks to prevent extended droughts. For Vucevic, the focus will be rebounding to maintain defensive impact and re-enter the scoring rhythm through mismatches and timely pick-and-rolls.
Player development and win-now alignment both hang in the balance. The Bulls need to rediscover confidence from deep shooting and execute a more versatile attack to avoid becoming predictable against quality perimeter defenses.
Takeaway: resilience and adjustments are key ahead
Chicago’s season has shown flashes of promise, but back-to-back losses to a division rival highlight areas that require practical fixes: shooting consistency, better floor spacing, and more dynamic scoring options off the bench. If the Bulls can tighten shot selection and generate easier baskets, they’ll be better equipped to flip the script in forthcoming contests against Pelicans and other challengers.
Final thoughts
In a game defined by a cold shooting night and a late rally stall, Chicago’s path forward depends on adjustments that emphasize balance, rhythm, and a dependable secondary scoring threat. Vucevic remains a central figure, but the Bulls will need contributions from across the roster to convert tough losses into future wins.
