Bulls Strut Their Stuff In Opening Night Blowout
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by user Joebook
Nobody will say that they saw this coming...
Kirk Hinrich scored 26 points, Chris Duhon added 20 and the Chicago Bulls emphatically spoiled Miami's celebratory mood, beating the defending NBA champion Heat 108-66 in Tuesday night's season opener.
The Bulls started early, building a six point lead at the end of the first quarter, before outscoring the Heat 37-14 in the second quarter.
Chicago showed a few things tonight:
1. They can overcome an emotional home team.
2. They have the complete package -- they shot almost 50% from the floor and held the Heat to 38.5%.
3. Ben Wallace is as good as advertised -- he forced Shaq into a 3-10 shooting performance and three turnovers in 24 minutes.
4. Tyrus Thomas is an athletic freak. He was flying all over the court, at times out of control. 4 points, 5 boards and 2 blocks in 16 minutes is a good debut.
5. Thabo Sefolosha will play a large role. Who? The Bulls other rookie... a 6'5" Swiss guard who put up 11 points and two steals in 10 minutes... he's going to contribute largely off the bench.
I know some of you will say that I'm jumping the gun, or that it's only one game. You are right. But, it was a game against the NBA's best team last season, and one that finally offered a product that went largely untested together in the preseason.
Can the Bulls keep it together and make a run at the Eastern Conference title? Only time will tell, but they had a hell of a start.
