Nets Take Home Opener From Bulls in OT

The Nets took their season opener from the Bulls in overtime, 112-103.  It was their 12th straight win over Chicago on home court, causing the Bulls' Ben Gordon to say after, "I don't know what it is about this place."  Nets leading scorer Richard Jefferson, reports the Star-Ledger, pointed to a 4th quarter comment from referee Bennett Salvatore: "He kind of smiled and said, 'Rich, this is kind of like a playoff game.'"

Chicago shot 39 percent, committed 30 fouls, and turned the ball over 16 times.  They had the final possession of regulation but, fittingly, things fell apart due to miscommunication.  The Nets then scored the first points of the overtime on Antoine Wright's 3-pointer and never looked back.  Despite the poor performance, the Bulls were upbeat.  Said Luol Deng, "It's the first game. We'll be OK." (More Richard Jefferson stories.)