Rampant Chicago Bulls trample over nets

The Chicago Bulls ran roughshod over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, producing an explosive offensive effort in a 118-88 victory that has them off to a 3-0 start in the NBA.

It’s Chicago’s first 3-0 start since the 1996-97 season, and it comes despite fears that off-season changes including the departure of Derrick Rose and arrival of Dwyane Wade might see the Bulls take some time to click.

The Bulls connected on 50.6 percent of their shots from the field, including 40.7 from three-point range.

Seven Bulls players scored in double figures, led by Jimmy Butler’s 22 points.

Wade scored 12 points in his first road game with the Bulls. That included a slick crossover move on the Nets’ Bojan Bogdanovic in the fourth quarter that drew some appreciative gasps from the crowd.

Nikola Mirotic collected 16 points and 10 rebounds, Isaiah Cannan added 15 as the reserve duo combined to hit seven of Chicago’s 11 three-pointers. Taj Gibson added 14 and 11 rebounds, Doug McDermott contributed 12 while Rajon Rondo had 10.

Bogdanovic led the Nets with 15 points while Jeremy Lin added 14 and Brook Lopez had 13 in 22 minutes after resting Saturday.

Clippers, Hawks stay unbeaten The Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks also improved to 3-0 with wins on Monday.

Chris Paul scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half as the Clippers routed the winless Phoenix Suns 116-98 in Los Angeles.

Paul also had eight assists and five rebounds. Blake Griffin added 21 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for the Clippers.

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan didn’t seem to show any ill effects from a sprained right thumb suffered in Sunday’s win over the Utah Jazz, finishing with 19 point and 11 boards.

Jamal Crawford added 14 points and J.J. Redick scored 13. The Suns were without guard Devin Booker, who sat out with a sore right big toe. Booker apparently aggravated the injury in Sunday’s 106-100 loss to Golden State.

Brandon Knight started in Booker’s place and led the Suns with 18 points. The Hawks improved to 3-0 with a 106-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings in Atlanta.