NBA scores 2016: The Heat’s past and present collide during Dwyane Wade’s return

The divorce between Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat had been brewing for years, but that didn’t make it any easier for fans who grew up watching their beautiful relationship. Wade returned to Miami in a Chicago Bulls uniform for the first time on Thursday, and the home crowd at American Airlines Arena gave him a hero’s welcome.

When the game started, it was another reminder each side is currently headed in drastically different directions.

The Bulls came away with a 98-95 victory as Wade struggled to find his rhythm after playing last night in Atlanta. Wade finished with 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting to go with seven rebounds and four assists, but it was Jimmy Butler (20 points) who dragged the Bulls across the finish line.

Wade said he was relieved this game was behind him after it was over:

Wade can still be spectacular at times, as he was in dropping 35 points against the Knicks last week. The problem is this Heat team, now 2-5 after the loss, simply isn’t in position to make the playoff push Wade desires at this point in his career. The Heat are rebuilding, and it’s hard to do that with Wade.

Even as he was largely ineffective against the Heat, Wade still had several moments that reminded fans of the glory days:

A fan even ran onto the floor during the game with a shirt that said “Still Wade County.”

With the Bulls, Wade is paired with an in-his-prime star in Butler and a quality supporting cast that will push to make the playoffs. The Heat are likely heading for the lottery with a young team, which is perfectly fine for Pat Riley’s long-term view.

It was a split that had to happen. The Heat weren’t prepared to offer Wade a golden parachute contract like the one the Lakers gave Kobe Bryant, and Wade wasn’t going to stick around for a rebuilding effort without it.

At least it appears there’s no real bad blood. Even Riley himself showed his appreciation for Wade as he was announced.

Wade may be in Chicago now, but there’s no question Miami will forever have his heart.

The Philadelphia 76ers no longer have company at the bottom of the NBA standings. The New Orleans Pelicans finally got off the schneid by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks, 112-106, on Thursday for their first win of the season.

Anthony Davis was brilliant once again. He finished with 32 points, eight rebounds and four blocks to carry the Pelicans on both ends of the court.

Davis finally got some help in this game. E’Twaun Moore went for 20 points, Tim Frazier chipped in 15 points and 10 assists and Buddy Hield and Solomon Hill led a quality effort from the bench.

For Milwaukee, Jabari Parker was a positive in the loss. He popped off for 33 points and nine rebounds as the Bucks fell to 4-4.

The 76ers are now the only winless team in the NBA.

The reigning MVP is playing like his old self again. After hitting an NBA record 13 threes on Monday, Curry was incredible again in a 125-101 victory over the Denver Nuggets. He went off for 33 points, seven assists and five rebounds on 7-of-13 shooting from three-point range.

When Curry is on, there is no greater show in the sport:

As Curry shined, Kevin Durant got to relax. He snapped his streak of games with 20 points or more at 72 by finishing with only 18 points in the win. Durant’s streak was the fourth longest ever:

The Bucks lost, but when Giannis Antetokounmpo takes Anthony Davis off the dribble and slams on him, we have to give it some some recognition.

Bulls 98, Heat 95 (Blog-a-Bull recap | Hot Hot Hoops recap)

Pelicans 112, Bucks 106 (The Bird Writes recap | Brew Hoop recap)

Warriors 125, Nuggets 101 (Golden State of Mind recap | Denver Stiffs recap)

Lakers 101, Kings 91 (Silver Screen and Roll recap | Sactown Royalty recap)