NBA 2013-2014 Season Opener Recap - Oct 29 Scores, Results and Winners: Miami Stall Derrick Rose Return with Win
The NBA 2013-2014 season kicked off last night and it was as exciting and amazing as always. Six of the most talked about teams this season were placed up against each other in an aim to start the next nine months of gaming on the right foot.
Aside from all the on court action, fans were also excited to see a number of the team's key players finally on court - the debut of Victor Oladipo for the Magic and the return of Derrick Rose for the Bulls. A number of Lakers fans and basketball watchers also wanted to see how the Mike D'Antoni-led squad would fair this year after a dismal season last year. Notably, the team also played last night without an "out indefinitely" Kobe Bryant, and the departure of center Dwight Howard.
With all the being said, here's how the games turned out at last night's NBA season opener:
Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls, 107-95
The game that every basketball fan has been talking about for months now - Miami vs Bulls. The must-see game of last night spelled the return of Chicago's main point guard and former MVP, Derrick Rose. With former MVP Rose against current MVP LeBron James, you can just imagine how it all went down.
The Bulls took a quick lead in the starting minutes of the game, as Rose started again for the Bulls after missing an entire season due to injury. However, James and his squad were quick to answer back, and as they took the lead they never looked back.
Miami gave the Bulls a beating in the second quarter, scoring 37 against the dismal 18 of the Bulls. The first half ended with the Heat up, 54-33.
Coach Eric Spoelstra led the team to a lead as much as 25 points. The big three of Miami alone - James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh - scored a combined 46, while four other players had double digits. Shane Battier had 14 off a 4-4 shooting from the outside.
The Bulls tried to pull a comeback in the dying minutes of the game, but their efforts weren't enough to give them their first win this season.
Rose had a modest return to the league, only scoring 12 points in a 1-7 shooting from the 3-point line, with five turnovers. Carlos Boozer led Chicago with 31 points, while Jimmy Butler added 20.
"If anything, I'm disappointed in the loss. My performance, I can easily change that by making shots and keep down the turnovers," Rose noted, NBA.com reports.
Notably, the Bulls had more rebounds than Miami, 41 to 40, with offensive boards 11 to 5.
As for the teams' schedules, the Miami Heat will be facing the Philadelphia 76ers today (Oct. 30), while the Chicago Bulls the New York Knicks on Thursday (Oct. 31).