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Ben Wallace debuts in Bulls preseason opener

Oct 12, 2006 - 4:18 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bulls are putting their hopes on the big shoulders of Ben Wallace, but it was Andre Barrett who got them off to a good start.

Barrett hit a jumper with 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Bulls an 87-86 victory in their preseason opener against the Washington Wizards.

Chicago got its first look at Wallace, who signed a lucrative four-year contract in the offseason to provide a defensive presence for a team that has not advanced beyond the first round of the NBA playoffs since 1997-98. Against the Wizards, the 11-year veteran collected seven points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes. He shot 3-of-5 from the field and added two steals and one block.

Luol Deng had 13 points and Kirk Hinrich added 11 and three assists for Chicago, which shot 41 percent (31-of-75), including 6-of-15 from 3-point range.

Tyrus Thomas, the Bulls' second-overall pick in June, had six points on 2-of-7 shooting.

Antonio Daniels led Washington with 13 points, converting 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Gilbert Arenas and Jarvis Hayes added 11 each for the Wizards, who shot 44 percent (29-of-66).