Bulls Reach a New Low by Scoring 49 Points in Loss

In a season full of lows and dubious records they wanted no part of, the Chicago Bulls reached new depths Saturday night.

The Miami Heat held the Bulls to the lowest point total in the NBA since 1954, the year the shot clock was introduced, humiliating Chicago, 82-49.

“It’s not fun, having this record,” Chicago center Bill Wennington said.

The Bulls had been on the other end of the previous low-scoring game, limiting Utah to 54 points last June in Game 3 of the NBA finals, but that was when they had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. The previous low for a regular-season game was 55, by Indiana against San Antonio on March 29, 1998.

“I don’t know what Michael would say about this,” Bull guard Ron Harper said.

Jordan, for sure, would never have been part of it. He scored at least 50 points 38 times in his career.

The Bulls also set an NBA record with only 18 field goals, one fewer than the previous mark set by Indiana against New York in 1985.

Chicago nearly set another mark, making only 23.4% of its shots (18 of 77). The worst shooting performance ever was .229 by Milwaukee against Minneapolis in 1954.

Tim Hardaway scored 22 points to lead the Heat. Kornel David paced the Bulls with 13.

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Low Points

The fewest points scored by one team since the 24-second shot clock was introduced:

49Chicago vs. Miami

April 10, 1999

54Utah at Chicago

June 7, 1998

55Indiana vs. San Antonio

March 29, 1998

56Utah at Seattle

Feb. 16, 1999

Note: Michael Jordan scored 50 or more points in a game for Chicago 38 times. Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points a game in the 1961-62 season.