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Bulls play home opener against 76ers

Nov 2, 2007 - 1:41 PM Philadelphia (0-1) at Chicago (0-1) 8:30 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Amid trade speculations, Ben Gordon and the Chicago Bulls have to steady themselves.

Gordon and the Bulls look to rebound from a season-opening loss when they begin their home campaign against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

The Bulls opened their season with a 112-103 overtime setback at New Jersey on Wednesday. Chicago shot under 40 percent (38-of-96), committed 16 turnovers and was outscored 37-19 from the free-throw line.

Gordon scored 27 points and Luol Deng added 22 and 11 rebounds for Chicago, which has been dealing with trade rumors regarding superstar Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Among being mentioned in the trade rumors are Gordon and Deng, as well as veteran center Ben Wallace and starting second-year power forward Tyrus Thomas.

Chicago also must play better in its initial contest here if it hopes to beat Philadelphia. The Bulls have lost seven of its last nine home openers, including last season's 89-88 defeat to Sacramento.

The 76ers also dropped their opener, 106-97, at Toronto on Wednesday. Andre Iguodala scored 23 points and Kyle Korver scored 20 for Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has lost six of its last nine meetings against Chicago.

The Bulls are trying to avoid starting 0-2 for the first time since 2004-05, when they dropped their first nine contests.