NBA Scores: Chicago Bulls 108 Miami Heat 66

The Miami Heat started off the night receiving their World Championship rings from their title run last year. By the end of the night the Heat had suffered the worst opening night lost for a defending champion in NBA history.

Chicago went into Miami and seemed content on allowing the Heat to hold onto the memories of last year, while they tore apart the team of this year.

The Bulls shot nearly 50 percent from the field and got big games from Kirk Hinrich, Ben Wallace and their bench in the 108-66 trouncing of the Heat.

Hinrich totaled 26 points in 35 minutes, Wallace grabbed 11 rebounds and the Bulls bench shot 21-36 from the field to pace the Bulls. But as impressive as the Bulls were, it was the Heat’s inability to score and control the ball that brought about their demise.

Dwyane Wade was the only Heat player to hit double figures while the rest of his team shot a combined 15-50 on the night. Wade’s 25 points was nearly three times more than the next highest scorer for the Heat.

The Heat turned the ball over 23 times on the night, leading to 32 Chicago points. Both Wade and Gary Payton were responsible for four each while Antoine Walker and Shaquille O’Neil each had three. 
 
The Bulls will be hard pressed to put together a more complete game. Andres Nocioni nabbed 11 rebounds, Chris Duhon had 20 points and rookies Thabo Sefolosha had 11 points and Tyrus Thomas had 5 rebounds in their first game as NBA professionals.