CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ If rookie PJ Washington's debut is any indication, the Charlotte Hornets might have found a go-to scorer.
If the Chicago Bulls points in the paint are any indication, the Hornets' defense is still a mess.
The Hornets won their season opener 126-125, nearly breaking the franchise record for 3-pointers made. The Hornets made 23 of 44 from 3-point range, one short of the most in team history.
Washington, the 12th overall pick in June out of Kentucky, finished with 27 points, a franchise record for rookies in their NBA debut. Devonte Graham came off the bench for 23 points and eight assists, and Dwayne Bacon scored 22.
The Bulls scored a troubling 78 points in the lane, which allowed Chicago to stay in the game despite the Hornets hovering at 50% from 3-point range throughout the game.
