The Chicago Bulls (11-17) make their only trip to Minnesota to meet the Timberwolves (14-15) in the first of two get-togethers. The teams will meet again on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) in the Windy City, closing the book on the annual series.
The Bulls defeated the Timberwolves in both games last year for the first time since 2014-15. If they can come out on top again today, it’ll be the first time Chicago has recorded back-to-back road wins in Minnesota in seven seasons. That’s not to say the series has been lopsided, as over the last 10 meetings, the Bulls and Timberwolves have each won five times.
Chicago comes in today looking to get back on a winning track after dropping three straight, including back-to-back home losses to New York, and five of their last seven overall. Minnesota, on the other hand, walked away a winner in their last game, beating Oklahoma City on the road, 120-110, Friday night. Before then, the Timberwolves had lost three straight during a five-game West Coast road trip.
As for tonight, here are a few things to look for as the Bulls attempt to get back on course with a much-needed victory (6:00 pm CST tipoff – NBC Sports Chicago)
COME TOGETHER
To turn their season around by stacking wins, Chicago must commit to being physical and playing fast at both ends of the floor for all 48 minutes. Offensively, it’s essential the Bulls stop standing around and watching DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine take on all comers. In order to consistently put points on the board, Chicago, collectively, has to generate scoring opportunities by freely and crisply passing the ball from player-to-player and from side-to-side with everyone moving in and out of the paint to force defenses to scramble. Early on today, the Bulls need to go inside to starting center Nikola Vučević and allow him to get off to a fast start by attacking the rim and drawing a crowd under the basket. Vučević is Chicago’s most effective scoring threat in the post, but he’s also a very willing and savvy passer who will find teammates out on the perimeter for open looks at the basket. Establishing an inside presence early in the game will help ignite the Bulls offensively and test Minnesota’s resolve.
Over the summer the Timberwolves traded for three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to protect the rim and clear the glass. However, Gobert, who averages 14.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, missed Minnesota’s last game with a sprained ankle. The 7’1 centerman has been designated as questionable tonight as his injured wheel may need more time to heal. If he ends up on the sidelines, Chicago has to take advantage by getting the ball into Vučević’s hand as much as possible.
DON’T LET THE “ANT MAN” BUG YA
After acquiring Gobert the Timberwolves looked poised to skyrocket towards the top of the highly competitive Western Conference thanks to having an All-Star power trio of Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. However, things that look great on paper don’t always necessarily mean instant success, as Minnesota currently sits 10th in the West. In time, the outstanding talent Minnesota has should begin to mesh and strike fear into the hearts of opponents, but for now the team is still learning to play together, which means it’s a good time for the Bulls to take them on.
As mentioned earlier, Gobert may not play because of an injured ankle. Karl-Anthony Towns is definitely out of action with an injury he suffered a couple of weeks ago. Towns, who this season is averaging 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 50.5%, has always played well against Chicago, sporting lifetime averages of 24.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 53.6%.
Another key player for the Timberwolves is high-octane guard D’Angelo Russell, who is posting 16.6 points and 6.3 assists so far this season. Russell, like Gobert, has also been listed as questionable as he’s battling a creaky knee. If he can’t take the floor, that would be another lucky stroke for Chicago.
But one man that will play for the Timberwolves today is third-year shooting guard Anthony Edwards. Edwards can light up a scoreboard from every corner of the court. The 6’4 shootist leads Minnesota in scoring at 22.4 points a game. He also leads them from behind the arc, with 6.9 three-ball attempts, hitting a more than respectable 36.3%. Edwards not only can hit from outside, he loves to run downhill and rattle the rim as often as possible.
Defensively, the Bulls must have Edwards’ name circled in red ink on the scouting report. Most likely Edwards will face a defensive tag-team effort from the Bulls’ top defenders, Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams, as well as Ayo Dosunmu off-the-bench.
HIT THE BOARDS
To keep Edwards and his teammates somewhat in check, Chicago will need to work together, constantly and effectively communicating with one another to shut down paths to the rim and close off passing lanes inside and out of the paint.
The Bulls also have to aggressively control boards, limiting second-chance scoring opportunities for Minnesota. This issue proved to be an Achilles’ heel for Chicago over its last two games against New York, as the Knicks absolutely dominated, outrebounding the Bulls by a combined 30-5 offensively and posting a 34-9 advantage in second-chance scoring.