Miami Heat forward LeBron James reacts against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of their NBA basketball game in Dallas, Texas December 25, 2011.  [Photo/Agencies]

But when the game got underway, finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki and team-mates Jason Kidd and Jason Terry were swept aside by an impressive Heat,

Miami were 97-65 up after three quarters, before allowing Dallas, who never led, to make the score respectable in the fourth.

James scored 37 points and had 10 rebounds and six assists while Dwyane Wade contributed 26 points with eight rebounds and six assists, as the Heat's two biggest names offered an early reminder of their quality.

Last season's league MVP, Rose, crowned a superb comeback from the Bulls with a one-handed running shot over Pau Gasol to win the game 88-87 with 4.8 seconds remaining.

Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose (L) controls the ball as Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles December 25, 2011.  [Photo/Agencies]

Kobe Bryant's last gasp attempt to steal it back for the Lakers was dashed as his shot at the buzzer was blocked by Luol Deng.

Rose scored 22 points with Deng making 21 as the Bulls overturned a six-point lead in the final two minutes while the Lakers missed four free throws in the final 1:40.

Bryant scored 28 points for the Lakers but will be disappointed to have started the season with a home loss.