Bulls cool off Heat

The Chicago Bulls left the court during Miami’s championship-ring festivities, then returned to emphatically spoil what was left of the Heat’s celebration.

Kirk Hinrich – who signed a five-year extension just hours before tip-off – scored 26 points, Chris Duhon added 20 and the Bulls delivered a huge stunner in beating the host defending NBA champion Heat 108-66 in Tuesday night’s season opener.

It was – by far – the worst loss in NBA history for a defending champion on opening night. The previous low was the Los Angeles Lakers’ 132-117 defeat to Golden State on Oct. 29, 1982. The Lakers went on that season to win 58 games and return to the NBA finals under coach Pat Riley, the same man guiding the Heat these days.

Dwyane Wade had 25 points before sitting out much of the fourth quarter for Miami, which didn’t have anyone else reach double figures. The Heat turned the ball over 23 times – leading to 32 Chicago points – and were outrebounded 49-29.

Lakers 114, Suns 106: Playing without Kobe Bryant, it appeared Los Angeles didn’t have a chance, especially when high-scoring Phoenix made its first nine shots of the season opener.

But the Suns cooled off, Lamar Odom sparked a comeback, and the Lakers beat the visiting Suns.

Bryant, the NBA scoring champion with a 35.4-point average last season, didn’t play because of soreness in his surgically repaired right knee, and said he also would sit out of tonight’s game at Golden State.