Timberwolves-Bulls Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Nov 10 2012 12:15AM

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls both entered this season without their top player.

While the Bulls have looked pedestrian at times without Derrick Rose, the surging Timberwolves have more than held their own despite Kevin Love's absence.

Minnesota tries to extend its best start in 11 seasons Saturday night when it visits the Bulls, winners of five straight in this series.

Though many expected the Timberwolves to stumble as Love worked his way back from a broken right hand, coach Rick Adelman's team has proven to be one of this season's biggest surprises in getting off to a 4-1 start.

Minnesota turned heads again Friday, pulling out a thrilling 96-94 win over Indiana on Chase Budinger's layup with 0.8 seconds to go. The Timberwolves, off to their best start since opening a franchise-best 6-0 in 2001-02, have posted three straight victories to match their longest streak from last season.

Budinger finished with 18 points Friday while Derrick Williams scored 15 for Minnesota, which last won four in a row Jan. 29-Feb. 6, 2010.

In addition to Love, the Timberwolves continue to play without Ricky Rubio (torn ACL). Fellow point guard J.J. Barea is expected to miss a second straight game with a sprained left foot.

Minnesota may have suffered another big blow Friday after Brandon Roy left at halftime with a sore right knee. The veteran guard, who's attempting to come back from chronic knee troubles that caused him to retire prior to last season, is uncertain to play Saturday but plans to travel with the team.

"It's OK," forward Andrei Kirilenko said. "We'll still keep winning. Injuries, that don't matter. Winning is what matters."

Minnesota has lost by an average of 15.8 points during its skid against Chicago, though the Bulls needed 31 from Rose in a 111-100 road win Jan. 10 in the teams' only meeting last season.

Chicago opened 2-0 but has since dropped two of three, losing 97-91 to Oklahoma City on Thursday. The Bulls (3-2) were outscored 31-19 in the fourth quarter.

"We were right there in the game," forward Luol Deng, who scored a game-high 27 points, told the team's official website. "We've (just) got to have a better fourth quarter. That's what we've got to get back to. There's going to be a lot of those (close) games. We've just got to be tough minded to win those games in the end."

Richard Hamilton had 20 points, while Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah each scored nine and combined for 24 rebounds.

"Derrick Rose is an unbelievable player, don't get me wrong. He is Chicago," Thunder superstar Kevin Durant said. "But those guys are great complements to him. Once one of your best players is out, guys got to step up and that's what they've been doing ever since he's been out."

The Bulls, who went an Eastern Conference-best 62-12 at home over the previous two seasons, have split four games at the United Center.

"There's no excuses," forward Taj Gibson said. "We're a man down, but guys will have to step up. ... We got to keep grinding until he (Rose) gets back and just move forward."

With Rose not expected to return anytime soon, Chicago will surely continue to rely on its superb defensive efforts. The Bulls are allowing 90.4 points per game to rank near the top of the league.

No team has made fewer 3-pointers than the Bulls, who have shot 16 of 57 (28.1 percent) from beyond the arc.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Robinson sparks Bulls to win over Timberwolves

Posted Nov 10 2012 11:59PM

CHICAGO (AP) With the Chicago Bulls missing star Derrick Rose and two starters going without a basket, the team's revamped bench came through just like the old version did so many times over the last couple of years.

Nate Robinson scored 18 points off the bench, and the Bulls beat Minnesota 87-80 on Saturday night, ending the Timberwolves' three-game winning streak.

Robinson played 31 minutes after starting point guard Kirk Hinrich left the game with a right hip strain in the second quarter. Robinson sparked an 11-point run, helping Chicago beat Minnesota for the sixth straight time.

"I just try to get my teammates involved and bring energy," Robinson said. "Hopefully I did that."

Joakim Noah added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Luol Deng chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds, as the Bulls (4-2) bounced back from their second home loss in three outings.

"We've got to just keep fighting for as many wins as possible," Noah said. "It's always been like that."

Nikola Pekovic led the short-handed Timberwolves (4-2) with 18 points and eight rebounds. Andrei Kirilenko added 11 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Minnesota's three-game streak matched its season high from last season.

"We played good tonight," Pekovic said. "Right to the end. But we had some bad moments."

Hinrich went scoreless in 11 minutes before departing, and forward Carlos Boozer was limited to two points and failed to score a field goal in a game for the first time since Nov. 18, 2003.

"Right now, the ball is just not going in for (Boozer)," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's gotten some good looks. It'll come around."

Yet, Chicago had plenty to win with, as coach Tom Thibodeau likes to say, getting 11 points from Marco Belinelli, nine during a spree of three 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter.

"That's part of my game," Belinelli said. "I think it was important tonight, for me and for the team."

Reserve Taj Gibson added eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

"I thought our bench was terrific," Thibodeau said. "I thought Marco was terrific. Taj was good. Nazr (Muhammed) was good."

Belinelli's 3-point burst helped the Bulls establish a nine-point lead early fourth, breaking open a tight game. Chicago hit 6 for 13 from behind the arc, its season high for makes. The Bulls entered the game last in the NBA in 3-point makes and attempts.

"We've got some guys who have shown throughout their career that they are good 3-point shooters," Thibodeau said. "We still have to get our timing down and get a flow to what we're doing."

The Bulls led by as many as 10 points down the stretch, going up by that margin when Deng hit a jumper from the corner with 3:53 remaining.

The Timberwolves closed within five points on Dante Cunningham's layup with 42.6 seconds to play, but the Bulls held on down the stretch.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Minnesota's Chase Budinger left the floor with a twisted left knee and didn't return. After the game, the Timberwolves didn't seem too pleased with the Bulls' physical style of play.

"They were fouling (Budinger) and just pushed him," Minnesota guard Luke Ridnour said. "Gave him a little extra shove.

"That's how they play. Lot of pushing. Lot of fouling. You've just got to play through it. We did and we had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter."

The severity of Budinger's injury was unknown, but his left leg was wrapped in ice after the game. The team said X-rays of Budinger's knee were negative and he will be re-evaluated on Sunday.

"They've got big people who are very active and they challenge you," Minnesota coach Rick Adelman said. "You've got to respond to it."

Robinson's seven points helped Chicago grab a six-point lead with an 11-point run midway through the second quarter. The run was capped by Noah's feed to Taj Gibson on the baseline for a two-handed dunk.

"I think our bench did a great job," Robinson said. "We come to practice ready to play and we've got our starting five's back."

The Bulls edged back in front with a 23-18 third quarter advantage, capped when rookie Marquis Teague drove the lane and scored with his left hand for his first career points. Teague, Chicago's first-round pick in June, hadn't appeared in a game since Nov. 2.

"It felt good, get a bucket in, just to help my team," Teague said. "I wasn't really overwhelmed. I felt like I was comfortable, ready to play."

It's unknown if Hinrich will miss time because of his injury as he will be re-evaluated on Sunday. However, Thibodeau said he's confident that Teague will be ready to pick up the slack.

"If he's in that locker room, he can play," Thibodeau said. "I've been very pleased with what he's done in practice."

NOTES: The Timberwolves had just 11 players available even before Budinger's injury. Ricky Rubio (left knee surgery) and Kevin Love (fractured right hand) have been out all season. Jose Barea missed his second straight game with a sprained left foot, while Brandon Roy missed his first game of the campaign with a sore right knee. ... Chicago held its opponent under 100 points for the 15th straight games. ... Saturday marked the 23rd anniversary of the first win in Minnesota history, a 125-118 overtime win over Philadelphia. Thibodeau was a Timberwolves assistant at the time in his first NBA season.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Notebook: Bulls 87, Timberwolves 80

Kent McDill, for NBA.com
Posted Sat Nov 10, 2012 11:14 PM - Updated Sat Nov 10, 2012 11:22 PM

THE FACTS: In a game between two teams missing their best players for a long time, the host Chicago Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 87-80 Saturday, ending Minnesota's three-game winning streak. Nate Robinson, who played 31 minutes in place of injured starting guard Kirk Hinrich, led the Bulls with 18 points, while Joakim Noah had 17 points and four blocked shots. Nikola Pekovic led the Wolves with 18 points, and Andrei Kirilenko had 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

THE FACTS II: After getting outplayed in the fourth quarter in the loss to Oklahoma City Thursday, the Bulls exerted their authority in the fourth quarter Saturday. They held the Wolves to 30 percent shooting (seven for 23) and blocked five shots in the quarter. Marco Bellinelli had one of his best games as a Bull with 11 points, nine in the fourth quarter.

QUOTABLE I: "It kills me to turn the ball over. I promised Coach Thibs I would not turn it over in the second half. Coach wrote on the bulletin board that we had eight turnovers in the first half and five of those were mine." -- Bulls guard Robinson, who played 18 minutes in the second half without a turnover.

THE STAT: At halftime, the Bulls had nine offensive rebounds but only one second-chance point.

THE STAT II: While the Bulls' Carlos Boozer continued to have difficulty scoring, going zero for five from the field in 26-plus minutes, Minnesota's Derrick Williams doubled him in futility, going zero for 10 from the field in 21 minutes. Boozer did contribute nine rebounds and four assists, however.

THE STAT III: Nate Robinson became the fifth player in the first six games to lead the Bulls in scoring as they search for a scoring leader in the absence of Derrick Rose.

TURNING POINT: Neither team led by more than four points in the third quarter, which ended with the Bulls up 63-59. The Bulls scored the first basket of the fourth quarter, a 3-pointer by Bellinelli, and when he followed that with another 3-pointer on their next possession, the Bulls were up 69-61 with 11 minutes left.

INJURY UPDATE: Bulls guard Hinrich left the game in the second quarter with a right hip strain and did not return. Minnesota guard Jose Barea missed his second consecutive game with a left mid-foot sprain. Minnesota guard Chase Budinger left the United Center on crutches with what was described as a twisted knee.

HOT: Robinson was 8-for-14 from the field for the Bulls. Pekovic was 8-for-13 for Minnesota.

QUOTABLE II: "They've got big people who are very agile. They challenge you." Minnesota coach Rick Adelman, discussing the Bulls' inside players.

ROOKIE WATCH: Making his longest appearance as a Bull, rookie guard Marquis Teague played six minutes and scored his first professional basket.

NOTABLE: With the victory, the Bulls once again avoided their first two-game home losing streak in the three seasons Tom Thibodeau has been coach... the Bulls have one more home game Monday against Boston before going on their five-game West Coast trip... The Bulls own a six-game winning streak over Minnesota.

UP NEXT: For the Bulls, Monday vs. Celtics, Wednesday @ Suns, Saturday @ L.A. Clippers. For the Timberwolves, Monday @ Dallas, Wednesday vs. Charlotte, Friday vs. Warriors.

• Timberwolves: Love, Rubio
• Bulls: Rose

• Timberwolves: --
• Bulls: --

• Lead Changes: 9
• Times Tied: 11

• Arena: United Center, Chicago, IL
• Officials: #25 Tony Brothers, #6 Tony Brown, #66 Haywoode Workman
• Attendance: 21974
• Duration: 2:09

Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3)		Chicago Bulls (5-2)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Noah vs Pekovic (Hinrich gains possession)
	11:36	Boozer Layup Shot: Missed
Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:34
Williams Jump Shot: Missed	11:18
Pekovic Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	11:16
Pekovic Tip Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:16 [MIN 2-0]
Williams Violation:Defensive Goaltending	11:00
	11:00 [CHI 2-2]	Deng Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Boozer (1 AST)
Williams Jump Shot: Missed	10:45
Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	10:43
Pekovic Putback Layup Shot: Missed	10:43
	10:42	Boozer Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:25 [CHI 4-2]	Deng Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Hinrich (1 AST)
Kirilenko Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Budinger (1 AST)	10:11 [MIN 4-4]
	09:55	Boozer Jump Shot: Missed
Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	09:53
Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed	09:48
	09:47	Team Rebound
Pekovic Foul: Loose Ball (1 PF)	09:47
	09:32 [CHI 6-4]	Noah Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Hamilton (1 AST)
Ridnour Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:07 [MIN 6-6]
	08:52	Boozer Fadeaway Jump Shot: Missed
	08:50	Noah Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	08:50	Noah Tip Shot: Missed
Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	08:49
Kirilenko Turnover : 3 Second Violation (1 TO)	08:31
	08:08	Hinrich Jump Shot: Missed
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:07
Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed	07:50
	07:48	Hamilton Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:39 [CHI 8-6]	Noah Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Hinrich (2 AST)
Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed	07:16
	07:15	Deng Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:03 [CHI 10-6]	Noah Slam Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Boozer (2 AST)
Williams Jump Shot: Missed	06:44
	06:43	Deng Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:27 [CHI 12-6]	Hamilton Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Noah (1 AST)
Pekovic Running Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (1 AST)	06:16 [MIN 8-12]
	05:57	Hinrich Jump Shot: Missed
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:56
Kirilenko Jump Shot: Missed	05:44
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	05:43
	05:41	Boozer Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
	05:41	Team Timeout : Regular
Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	05:41
Team Rebound	05:41
Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)	05:41 [MIN 9-12]
	05:30	Boozer Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	05:29
Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed	05:19
	05:18	Deng Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	05:13	Hinrich Layup Shot: Missed
	05:12	Noah Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	05:12	Noah Tip Shot: Missed
Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	05:10
Williams Layup Shot: Missed	05:03
	05:02	Boozer Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	04:46 [CHI 14-9]	Deng Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Pekovic Hook Shot: Missed	04:29
	04:28	Boozer Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	04:09	Deng 3pt Shot: Missed
Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	04:08
	03:59	Noah Foul: Defense 3 Second (0 PF)
Ridnour Free Throw Technical (3 PTS)	03:59 [MIN 10-14]
Budinger Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (2 AST)	03:52 [MIN 12-14]
	03:31 [CHI 16-12]	Hamilton Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Hinrich (3 AST)
Williams Jump Bank Shot: Missed	03:18
	03:17	Boozer Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	03:11	Hamilton Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Budinger (1 ST)
	03:05	Deng Foul: Personal (1 PF)
	03:05	Noah Substitution replaced by Gibson
Budinger Reverse Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS)	02:56 [MIN 14-16]
	02:32 [CHI 19-14]	Hamilton 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Deng (1 AST)
Pekovic Hook Shot: Made (7 PTS)	02:11 [MIN 16-19]
	02:11	Hinrich Foul: Loose Ball (1 PF) (1 FTA)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:11
	02:11	Hinrich Substitution replaced by Robinson
Budinger Substitution replaced by Shved	02:11
Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	02:11
	02:09	Boozer Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	01:51	Robinson Jump Shot: Missed
	01:49	Gibson Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Ridnour Violation:Kicked Ball	01:47
	01:42	Deng Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (1 ST)
Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed	01:26
Pekovic Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	01:26
	01:26	Boozer Foul: Personal (2 PF)
	01:26	Boozer Substitution replaced by Mohammed
	01:26	Hamilton Substitution replaced by Belinelli
Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Shved (1 AST)	01:12 [MIN 18-19]
	00:55.9	Gibson Fadeaway Jump Shot: Missed
	00:54.8	Mohammed Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	00:49.9	Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	00:49.3
	00:35.9	Mohammed Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	00:35.9 [MIN 19-19]
Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:35.9
	00:34.9	Gibson Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
Pekovic Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	00:22.5
	00:22.5 [CHI 20-19]	Mohammed Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
Pekovic Substitution replaced by Stiemsma	00:22.5
	00:22.5	Belinelli Substitution replaced by Butler
	00:22.5	Mohammed Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
	00:20.9	Gibson Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	00:01.9	Robinson Floating Jump shot: Missed
Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:00.9
Williams 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.1
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 1st Quarter
Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3)		Chicago Bulls (5-2)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Shved Jump Shot: Missed	11:46
	11:45	Mohammed Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	11:21	Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed
	11:20	Gibson Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)
	11:18	Gibson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (2 ST)
Cunningham Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Lee (1 AST)	11:12 [MIN 21-20]
	10:55	Belinelli 3pt Shot: Missed
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	10:53
Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Lee (2 AST)	10:43 [MIN 23-20]
	10:19	Deng Running Jump Shot: Missed
	10:19	Team Rebound
Lee Foul: Loose Ball (1 PF)	10:19
	10:08	Gibson Jump Shot: Missed Block: Cunningham (1 BLK)
	10:06	Gibson Rebound (Off:4 Def:1)
	10:05	Gibson Jump Shot: Missed Block: Kirilenko (1 BLK)
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	10:02
Stiemsma Jump Shot: Missed Block: Mohammed (1 BLK)	09:55
	09:54	Mohammed Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
Stiemsma Foul: Personal (1 PF)	09:50
	09:44	Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed
	09:42	Mohammed Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	09:42	Mohammed Layup Shot: Missed
	09:41	Mohammed Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	09:41	Mohammed Layup Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:39
	09:39	Belinelli Foul: Loose Ball (1 PF)
	09:31	Robinson Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Lee Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:20 [MIN 25-20]
	09:05 [CHI 22-25]	Robinson Floating Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)
Shved Jump Shot: Missed	08:47
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	08:46
Shved Layup Shot: Missed Block: Mohammed (2 BLK)	08:34
	08:32	Deng Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	08:26 [CHI 24-25]	Belinelli Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Deng (2 AST)
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed	08:08
Team Rebound	08:08
	08:08	Mohammed Foul: Loose Ball (2 PF)
	08:08
	08:08	Mohammed Substitution replaced by Noah
Kirilenko Substitution replaced by Budinger	08:08
Shved Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Robinson (1 ST)	07:58
	07:54 [CHI 26-25]	Robinson Running Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Stiemsma Jump Shot: Missed	07:35
	07:34	Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:24 [CHI 29-25]	Robinson 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Budinger Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)	07:06
	07:06	Deng Substitution replaced by Butler
	06:50 [CHI 31-25]	Gibson Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Noah (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	06:40
Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Ridnour	06:40
Lee Substitution replaced by Pekovic	06:40
Budinger Jump Shot: Missed	06:26
	06:25	Gibson Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)
	06:11	Robinson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Budinger (2 AST)	05:57 [MIN 27-31]
	05:34 [CHI 33-27]	Robinson Floating Jump shot: Made (9 PTS)
Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed	05:08
	05:07	Gibson Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	05:04	Robinson Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Pekovic Running Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (1 AST)	04:46 [MIN 29-33]
	04:24	Robinson Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Budinger (2 ST)
Shved Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Budinger (3 AST)	04:21 [MIN 31-33]
	04:14	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:14	Gibson Substitution replaced by Boozer
	04:14	Belinelli Substitution replaced by Hamilton
	04:02 [CHI 35-31]	Robinson Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Shved Running Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (2 AST)	03:46 [MIN 33-35]
	03:26	Noah Layup Shot: Missed
Cunningham Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	03:25
Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Shved (2 AST)	03:07 [MIN 35-35]
	02:52	Robinson Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Ridnour (1 ST)
Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Budinger (4 AST)	02:46 [MIN 37-35]
	02:26	Hamilton Jump Shot: Missed
Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	02:25
Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed	02:16
	02:16	Team Rebound
Cunningham Foul: Loose Ball (1 PF)	02:16
Shved Substitution replaced by Kirilenko	02:16
	02:16	Robinson Substitution replaced by Hinrich
Kirilenko Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	01:58
	01:58 [CHI 36-37]	Noah Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	01:58 [CHI 37-37]	Noah Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Budinger Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (3 AST)	01:43 [MIN 39-37]
	01:18	Hinrich Jump Shot: Missed
	01:18	Team Rebound
Cunningham Foul: Loose Ball (2 PF) (2 FTA)	01:18
	01:18	Noah Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:18	Team Rebound
Pekovic Substitution replaced by Stiemsma	01:18
	01:18	Hinrich Substitution replaced by Robinson
	01:18 [CHI 38-39]	Noah Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Budinger Layup Shot: Missed Block: Noah (1 BLK)	01:01
Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	00:59.9
Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Cunningham (1 AST)	00:58.5 [MIN 41-38]
	00:47.5 [CHI 40-41]	Noah Slam Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Hamilton (2 AST)
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed	00:32.9
	00:31.5	Noah Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	00:20.0	Robinson Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (5 TO)
	00:08.4	Robinson Foul: Personal (2 PF)
	00:08.4	Boozer Substitution replaced by Deng
	00:08.4	Hamilton Substitution replaced by Gibson
Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed	00:02.0
	00:00.6	Deng Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
End of 2nd Quarter
Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3)		Chicago Bulls (5-2)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed	11:38
Team Rebound	11:37
Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Deng (1 ST)	11:34
Budinger Foul: Clear Path (1 PF) (2 FTA)	11:33
	11:33 [CHI 41-41]	Deng Free Throw Clear Path 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	11:33 [CHI 42-41]	Deng Free Throw Clear Path 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
	11:15 [CHI 45-41]	Hamilton 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Boozer (3 AST)
Budinger Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Boozer (1 ST)	10:59
	10:52	Hamilton Floating Jump shot: Missed
Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	10:51
Kirilenko Layup Shot: Missed	10:46
Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	10:45
Williams Tip Shot: Missed	10:45
	10:43	Boozer Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	10:37	Noah Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Ridnour (2 ST)
	10:31	Boozer Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	10:31 [MIN 42-45]
Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	10:31 [MIN 43-45]
	10:06	Hamilton Jump Shot: Missed
	10:04	Boozer Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
Budinger Foul: Personal (2 PF)	10:02
	09:49	Deng Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Budinger (3 ST)
Ridnour Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Boozer (2 ST)	09:43
	09:34	Hamilton 3pt Shot: Missed
Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	09:33
Ridnour Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS)	09:14 [MIN 45-45]
	08:52 [CHI 47-45]	Robinson Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Boozer (4 AST)
Ridnour 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS)	08:41 [MIN 48-47]
Williams Foul: Personal (1 PF)	08:21
	08:09 [CHI 49-48]	Noah Running Hook Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Deng (3 AST)
Budinger 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (3 AST)	07:48 [MIN 51-49]
	07:30 [CHI 51-51]	Robinson Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed	07:15
	07:14	Robinson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	06:57	Boozer Foul: Offensive Charge (4 PF)
	06:57	Boozer Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
	06:41	Robinson Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Williams Jump Shot: Missed	06:38
	06:37	Robinson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:31 [CHI 53-51]	Hamilton Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Robinson (1 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	06:29
Pekovic Dunk Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (4 AST)	06:18 [MIN 53-53]
	05:55 [CHI 55-53]	Noah Slam Dunk Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Kirilenko Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Boozer (3 ST)	05:31
	05:25	Robinson Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	05:25
Ridnour Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)	05:07 [MIN 55-55]
	04:48	Hamilton Jump Shot: Missed
Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	04:46
Williams Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Noah (2 BLK)	04:34
	04:33	Robinson Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Ridnour Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	04:29
	04:29 [CHI 56-55]	Boozer Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	04:29 [CHI 57-55]	Boozer Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
	04:16	Noah Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Kirilenko Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (3 TO)	04:07
	03:54	Boozer Jump Shot: Missed
Pekovic Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	03:53
Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed	03:35
Ridnour Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	03:34
Budinger Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Noah (1 ST)	03:26
	03:24	Noah Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Williams Layup Shot: Missed	03:15
	03:13	Boozer Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
	03:06	Deng Layup Shot: Missed
	03:04	Noah Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)
Pekovic Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	02:51
	02:51	Team Timeout : Regular
Williams Substitution replaced by Cunningham	02:51
Budinger Substitution replaced by Shved	02:51
	02:51 [CHI 58-55]	Deng Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	02:51 [CHI 59-55]	Deng Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed	02:36
	02:34	Boozer Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)
	02:28	Robinson Floating Jump shot: Missed
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	02:27
Pekovic Foul: Offensive Charge (4 PF)	02:15
Pekovic Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	02:15
	02:15	Hamilton Substitution replaced by Belinelli
Pekovic Substitution replaced by Stiemsma	02:15
	02:00	Noah Jump Shot: Missed
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)	01:59
Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Shved (3 AST)	01:43 [MIN 57-59]
	01:16 [CHI 61-57]	Robinson Driving Jump shot: Made (17 PTS)
Stiemsma Jump Shot: Missed	01:00
	01:00	Team Rebound
Ridnour Substitution replaced by Lee	01:00
	01:00	Robinson Substitution replaced by Teague
	00:46.9	Deng Jump Shot: Missed
Shved Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:44.9
Lee Floating Jump shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Shved (4 AST)	00:27.7 [MIN 59-61]
	00:06.5 [CHI 63-59]	Teague Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	00:00.3	Teague Foul: Personal (1 PF)
	00:00.3	Boozer Substitution replaced by Butler
	00:00.3	Belinelli Substitution replaced by Gibson
End of 3rd Quarter
Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3)		Chicago Bulls (5-2)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:43 [CHI 66-59]	Belinelli 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed Block: Gibson (1 BLK)	11:26
Team Rebound	11:26
Lee Reverse Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (5 AST)	11:24 [MIN 61-66]
	11:01 [CHI 69-61]	Belinelli 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Deng (4 AST)
	10:46	Mohammed Foul: Shooting Block (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	10:46 [MIN 62-69]
Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	10:46 [MIN 63-69]
	10:26	Gibson Hook Shot: Missed
	10:26	Team Rebound
	10:19	Deng Jump Shot: Missed
Shved Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:18
Lee Jump Shot: Missed	10:06
	10:05	Teague Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:01	Teague Driving Layup Shot: Missed
	09:58	Mohammed Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)
	09:55 [CHI 72-63]	Belinelli 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Mohammed (1 AST)
Shved 3pt Shot: Missed	09:31
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	09:29
Shved Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (6 AST)	09:26 [MIN 65-72]
	09:09	Mohammed Substitution replaced by Noah
	09:09	Jump Ball Deng vs Lee (Noah gains possession)
	09:01	Gibson Jump Shot: Missed
Lee Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:58
Stiemsma Jump Shot: Missed Block: Noah (3 BLK)	08:40
Shved Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	08:39
Shved Layup Shot: Missed Block: Gibson (2 BLK)	08:37
	08:35	Gibson Rebound (Off:4 Def:4)
Lee Foul: Personal (2 PF)	08:33
	08:33
Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Pekovic	08:33
	08:20	Teague Jump Shot: Missed Block: Lee (1 BLK)
Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	08:18
Cunningham Pullup Jump shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Lee (3 AST)	08:05 [MIN 67-72]
	07:48	Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed
	07:47	Deng Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	07:47 [CHI 74-67]	Deng Tip Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Lee Layup Shot: Missed	07:29
	07:27	Noah Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	07:23 [CHI 76-67]	Deng Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)
Lee 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Shved (5 AST)	07:04 [MIN 70-76]
Pekovic Violation:Kicked Ball	06:47
	06:47	Teague Substitution replaced by Robinson
Lee Substitution replaced by Ridnour	06:47
Shved Substitution replaced by Budinger	06:47
Cunningham Foul: Personal (3 PF)	06:37
	06:23 [CHI 78-70]	Gibson Hook Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Noah (3 AST)
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed Block: Gibson (3 BLK)	06:00
Team Rebound	06:00
Team Timeout : Regular	06:00
Budinger Substitution replaced by Shved	06:00
Shved 3pt Shot: Missed	05:54
	05:53	Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:38	Belinelli Layup Shot: Missed
Pekovic Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	05:37
Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed	05:18
	05:17	Deng Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
	05:03	Gibson Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)
Ridnour Layup Shot: Missed Block: Noah (4 BLK)	04:38
	04:36	Noah Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
Ridnour Foul: Personal (2 PF)	04:36
	04:21	Deng Foul: Offensive (2 PF)
	04:21	Deng Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
Pekovic Layup Shot: Missed	04:05
	04:04	Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	03:53 [CHI 80-70]	Deng Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Robinson (2 AST)
Kirilenko Jump Shot: Missed	03:33
	03:32	Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	03:13	Gibson Jump Shot: Missed
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)	03:12
Pekovic Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS)	02:54 [MIN 72-80]
Kirilenko Violation:Defensive Goaltending	02:34
	02:34 [CHI 82-72]	Gibson Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed	02:20
Shved Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	02:19
Cunningham Foul: Offensive (4 PF)	02:17
Cunningham Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	02:17
	02:17	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:57	Deng 3pt Shot: Missed
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:3 Def:8)	01:56
Kirilenko Reverse Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Shved (6 AST)	01:40 [MIN 74-82]
	01:40	Deng Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (1 FTA)
Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 1 (9 PTS)	01:40 [MIN 75-82]
	01:18	Belinelli 3pt Shot: Missed
	01:17	Noah Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	01:17	Noah Tip Shot: Missed
Shved Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	01:16
Shved 3pt Shot: Missed	01:10
Kirilenko Rebound (Off:4 Def:8)	01:09
	01:09	Gibson Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	01:09 [MIN 76-82]
Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)	01:09 [MIN 77-82]
Cunningham Violation:Kicked Ball	00:56.0
	00:56.0	Team Timeout : Short
	00:42.6 [CHI 84-77]	Noah Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	00:42.6
Shved Jump Shot: Missed	00:36.8
Cunningham Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	00:32.9
Cunningham Reverse Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)	00:32.3 [MIN 79-84]
Ridnour Foul: Personal (3 PF)	00:32.0
Shved Foul: Personal Take (1 PF) (2 FTA)	00:31.1
	00:31.1 [CHI 85-79]	Gibson Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	00:31.1	Belinelli Substitution replaced by Butler
	00:31.1 [CHI 86-79]	Gibson Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed	00:16.9
	00:14.9	Robinson Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Shved Foul: Personal Take (2 PF) (2 FTA)	00:13.5
	00:13.5	Robinson Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:13.5	Team Rebound
	00:13.5 [CHI 87-79]	Robinson Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)
	00:07.5	Butler Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Shved Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	00:07.5
Team Rebound	00:07.5
Shved Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	00:07.5 [MIN 80-87]
End of 4th Quarter