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Hinrich, Bulls look to leave Florida perfect

Nov 1, 2006 - 3:08 PM Chicago (1-0) at Orlando (0-0) 7:00 pm EST

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- Kirk Hinrich and the defensive-minded Chicago Bulls aim to spoil another home opener when they visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Hinrich scored 26 points and Chris Duhon - who made 7-of-8 shots, including three 3-pointers - added 20 off the bench in 16 minutes as the Bulls routed the defending champion Miami Heat, 108-66, on Tuesday.

Chicago spoiled Miami's ring ceremony and raising of the championship banner by outscoring the Heat, 37-14, in the second quarter, ultimately seizing control of the contest from thereon.

Luol Deng added 12 points and Andres Nocioni and Ben Wallace both pulled down 11 rebounds for the Bulls, who held the Heat to 39 percent (25-of-65) shooting and forced them into 21 turnovers.

Rookie Tyrus Thomas had four points, five rebounds and two blocks in his NBA debut for Chicago, which dominated the boards, 49-29.

The Bulls have won five straight here over the Magic, who are 11-6 all-time in home openers.

During the offseason, Orlando added to its already proficient 3-point shooting percentage (37.6) and third overall field-goal percentage (47.2) by selecting Naismith College Player of the Year J.J. Redick with the 11th pick in the draft.

Dwight Howard, who led the team in both points (15.8) and rebounds (12.5) last season, Jameer Nelson and the still improving Darko Milicic will attempt to help the Magic get off to a strong start at TD Waterhouse this campaign. Orlando went 12-1 here down the stretch last year.

The young frontcourt of Howard and Milicic will have quite a test before them with veterans P.J. Brown and Wallace roaming the lane.

Chicago won last year's season series, 3-1, and has come away victorious in nine of the last 11 regular-season meetings.