SUI – Swiss don’t miss on NBA debut

MIAMI (NBA) - Switzerland’s Thabo Sefolosha made an impressive regular-season debut in the NBA on Tuesday by scoring 11 points and playing excellent defense in the Chicago Bulls’ 108-66 mauling of the defending champions Miami Heat.

Sefolosha, who turned out for Angelico Biella in Italy’s Lega A last season, made all four of his shots from the field and was a perfect three-of-three from the free throw line as the Bulls cruised.

The 22-year-old, the 13th selection overall in this year’s draft, is the first Swiss to play in the NBA.

Kirk Hinrich, a point with Team USA at the FIBA World Championship in Japan this summer, led Chicago with 26 points.

"We have a lot of guys that can create, catch and shoot, and also draw and kick. That will definitely be useful for us this year," Hinrich said.

"When we can run the court and keep them in a low-percentage situation like they were in, it feeds into our style and we really played off of that."

The most important addition to the Bulls this year has been the signing of former Detroit center Ben Wallace, one of the best defensive players in the league in recent history.

"Everything was clicking but it's just one game. We created plays and that's what good teams do," said Wallace.

"We were very solid defensively, and when you get a team in a big hole like that it plays into your hands."

Dwyane Wade, one of the Team USA captains and the MVP of Miami’s 4-2 series win over Dallas last season, had 25 points.

By PA Sport