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Heat look to avenge ugly season-opening loss

Dec 27, 2006 - 4:03 PM Miami (13-14) at Chicago (16-12) 8:30 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Miami Heat are coming off one of their most impressive performances of the season. Now, they will look to avenge one of their most embarrassing defeats.

After an emotional win on Christmas Day, the Heat will take on the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

Miami superstar Dwyane Wade dominated the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, collecting 40 points and 11 assists in a 101-85 victory.

However, the last time the Heat played Chicago, the Bulls won in a rout on Opening Night. Kirk Hinrich scored 15 of his 26 points in an overwhelming first half as the Bulls crushed the Heat, 108-66, in the opening game of the 2006-07 NBA season on October 31.

It was the worst season-opening loss by a defending champion, surpassing the 132-117 setback suffered by the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State in 1982.

On Tuesday, Hinrich scored 19 points in Chicago's disappointing 100-98 loss to Minnesota. After a five-game winning streak, the Bulls have lost two out of three.