NBA champions Heat come out cold in opening night loss to Bulls

Miami Heat opened the new season with a party but finished with a hangover as the Chicago Bulls thrashed the reigning NBA champions 108-66 on Tuesday in the basketball league curtain-raiser.

A capacity crowd dressed in white at the American Airlines Arena cheered and celebrated as the Heat accepted their championship rings from commissioner David Stern. They then watched the championship banner raised to the rafters in a pre-game ceremony.

The party, however, was short-lived and the cheers turned to boos as the Bulls raced to a 29-point half-time lead and then coasted to an easy win.

The loss was the worst opening night defeat by defending champions in NBA history.

"Welcome back to reality," Heat coach Pat Riley told reporters. "Obviously, it was absolutely one-sided."

In the other game, Kobe Bryant watched from the bench as the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 114-106.