I was fortunate to remember today is the season opener of the 2011 - 2012 NBA Season. Just in time to witness Loul Deng, Derrick Rose & the Chicago Bulls pull the rug under the Los Angeles Lakers 88 - 87.

Wow. I thought that the Lakers won it after Kobe made a contested short corner jumper to give the Lakers a seemingly safe 6 point lead. However, Deng was great on both ends of the floor in the clutch and Rose made a difficult floater over Pau Gasol as the Bulls open their campaign on a bright note.

There is actually little to draw from this opening game. The Lakers are dealing with a new coach in Mike Brown and new personnel minus Lamar Odom. Kobe even have an injured list. But still there's so much expectations with Kobe and company especially that they are opening the season at home. This loss is hard for the Lakers especially to Gasol. He gave Deng a 3-point play opportunity and then failed to block Rose's floater.

Reigning MVP Rose was adjudged the best player of the game but to me Deng was the difference maker. He should be credited for this come-from-behind victory for scoring baskets and playing superb defense, culminating on his block on Kobe's final shot attempt.

I sure missed how newly acquired Rip Hamilton played with the Bull's system and Metta World Peace, the-basketball-player-we-formerly-knew-as-Ron-Artest.

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Loul Deng's crucial 3 pushed the Chicago Bulls past the mighty Miami Heat, 93 - 89 as the NBA 2010 - 2011 regular season veers to its homestrecth.

I was lucky to be able to watch an important NBA game especially in the east today, the much hyped Miami Heat visited the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.

The first half was all Heat, with Lebron James ending the half rolling in a jumper, the Heat up 53 - 44. I decide to watch something else at the break.

When I switched back, the Chicago Bulls are now up 80 - 75 with less than 6 minutes to go. But James and the Heat scored 9 straight points to go up 84 - 80.

That is when the Bulls woke up.

Kyle Korver started the run with a three-pointer and then challenged Mario Chalmers' shot on the other end, leading to an offensive foul on Chalmers.

The Bulls regained the lead back on Rose's basket, 85 - 84. Deng's jumper at the top of the key and a long two by Rose, put the Bulls in control 89 - 84.

But the Heat weren't finished. Wade scores, and James completed an end-1 play to tie the game 89 - all with just 36.8 seconds left.

In the next play, Rose bid his time before driving on the middle against James, attracting a double-team from Wade that made Deng free for a corner three. Chicago up, 92 - 89 with just 16 seconds left.

Lebron James' tying three didn't even hit the rim. Korver was fouled and made one of two free throws to round up the scoring.

This great win by the Bulls, against the Heat no less, announced its contention for the east title. And now they really complete with Joakim Noah playing again.


Chicago Bulls logo and Miami Heat logo are taken from wikipedia.

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