by By Mike McGraw mmcgraw@dailyherald.com , Chicago Daily Herald

They looked good on opening night against San Antonio, an opponent playing the second leg of back-to-back games. Placed in the same scenario on Friday at Boston, the Bulls were blistered by the hot-shooting Celtics, losing 118-90.

Their brief road trip concludes against Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat (2-0) today.

Considering how Derrick Rose missed most of the preseason with an ankle injury and Luol Deng is still getting his legs back after spending the summer recovering from a stress fracture, maybe there?s no point in getting discouraged by the disappointing performance in Boston. Coach Vinny Del Negro already said his goal for the Bulls is to be playing their best at the end of the season.

"It took a long time for us to get in a groove," Rose said after the game. "I?m still trying to find my groove out there. It?s going to take (more) playing and the team, we just didn?t get in a good groove tonight. We can definitely learn from this."

Rose had a few good moments Friday, finishing with 10 points and 2 assists in 24 minutes. Center Joakim Noah led the Bulls with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while guard Jannero Pargo, who has been battling back issues, added 13 points.

If Rose is still trying to find his groove, the entire Bulls offense might be suffering from having so many key players out during the preseason.

"I don?t think that?s a good excuse," Kirk Hinrich said. "We just got away from what made us successful tonight (against Boston) and we paid for it. When you play good defensive teams, it?s more important that you move the ball and play together. We knew that coming in ? we just weren?t able to execute it."

Williams-Parker adapt: Power forward Shelden Williams latched on with Boston this season, while his wife, Naperville native Candace Parker, is a WNBA star for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Living on both coasts hasn?t been a problem for the family, which includes six-month old daughter Lailaa.

"We play two different seasons," Williams said. "So I?m there during her season and she?s here with me during my season. It?s not difficult at all. It would be difficult if we played at the same time and didn?t see each other. We see each other all the time right now."

Williams has struggled to find an NBA home. Originally drafted by Atlanta with the No. 5 pick in 2006, he split last season between Sacramento and Minnesota.

Thanks to some early foul trouble by the starters and the lopsided score, the 6-foot-9 Williams played 24 minutes against the Bulls . He produced 10 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, which should make the women in his life happy.

"The last four years now, we?ve been going to each other?s games," Williams said. "That?s who we are; we go out and support each other. We?re just hanging out, getting used to Boston and all that. My daughter?s doing well. Both of us spoiling her every chance we get."

Bull horns: Through two games, the Bulls are 6-for-31 from 3-point range (19.4 percent). In Friday?s game, Boston?s Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Eddie House combined to go 11-for-17 from behind the arc. ... Miami?s win at Indiana on Friday snapped a 14-game losing streak at Conseco Fieldhouse.

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