Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - A balanced scoring attack in the absence of
Derrick Rose is what the Chicago Bulls were looking for, and that's exactly
what they got in a 93-87 season-opening win over the Sacramento Kings.
Joakim Noah totaled 23 points and 10 rebounds, Carlos Boozer added 18 and
eight and Richard Hamilton netted 19 points in the victory.
Kirk Hinrich, starting at point guard with Rose still recovering from a torn
ACL suffered in Chicago's first playoff game last April, shot just 1-for-7
from the floor but handed out seven assists and only committed two turnovers.
Rose is not expected to return any time soon and possibly not at all this
season. Without the former league MVP, the Bulls lost their opening round
postseason series against the Philadelphia 76ers despite being the No. 1 seed
in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year.
Tyreke Evans scored 21 points to lead the Kings, who have finished in last
place in the Pacific Division the past four seasons. Marcus Thornton and
DeMarcus Cousins added 15 and 14 points, respectively, in the loss.
GAME NOTES:
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