The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Chicago Bulls 135-119 at the United Center, ending a streak of five consecutive losses in Chicago.
Bulls Dominate First Half
Despite being down for most of the game, the Timberwolves made a fourth-quarter comeback, outscoring the Bulls 45-24 to secure the victory. The win marked Minnesota's first victory in Chicago since December 26, 2018.
In the first half, the Chicago Bulls had a dominant performance, shooting 60% from the field and 58.8% from beyond the arc. The Bulls quickly found their rhythm, scoring 6 of their first 7 three-point attempts and building a 34-28 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Chicago's offense continued to roll in the second quarter, extending its lead to 12 points at halftime, with Nikola Vucevic leading the way with 13 points. The Minnesota Timberwolves struggled defensively, unable to stop the Bulls' outside shooting, allowing Chicago to generate numerous three-point opportunities with ease.
Offensively, the Minnesota Timberwolves received contributions from Julius Randle, who scored 14 points, and Anthony Edwards, who added 13 points in the first half. Both players were efficient, shooting 6-12 from the field and hitting one three-pointer each.
Even with the offensive production of Randle and Edwards, the Timberwolves' defense could not match the pace of the Bulls' shooting, and the team went into halftime with a 65-53 deficit.
Timberwolves Tighten in the Final Quarter
Throughout the first three quarters, the Timberwolves' defense was a concern. They allowed the Bulls to score 95 points, including 16 three-pointers out of 28 attempts. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch acknowledged his team's difficulties in containing Chicago's hot shooting and assist game, and noted the need to limit the Bulls' three-pointers.
Point guard Mike Conley talked about the defensive adjustments made in the second half, highlighting a more focused approach to individual defense and limiting help at the rim.
The fourth quarter was a turning point for the Minnesota Timberwolves. After allowing 95 points in the first three quarters, the Timberwolves adjusted their defense and limited the Bulls to just 24 points in the final quarter.
Donte DiVincenzo helped ignite the Timberwolves' comeback by hitting two three-pointers early in the fourth, cutting the Bulls' lead to just three points.
Edwards, who finished with 33 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, took control offensively, scoring 13 points in a five-minute span during the quarter, including two consecutive three-pointers that put the Timberwolves ahead by seven points.
Minnesota's defense also improved, and their offensive momentum pushed the lead to as many as 17 points, securing the victory in the final minutes.
Featured Performances
Key players in the win included Edwards, who was instrumental in the comeback, as well as Julius Randle, who contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds. Rudy Gobert added 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
For the Chicago Bulls, Nikola Vucevic led the way with 25 points on 11-15 from the field, while Coby White contributed 24 points. Despite the offensive output of these players, the Bulls' inability to maintain their shooting pace in the second half and lack of defensive adjustments ultimately allowed the Timberwolves to close out the game successfully.
The Timberwolves made key defensive adjustments in the second half, focusing on limiting the Bulls' open three-pointers and improving one-on-one defense. Gobert expressed confidence that the team is close to finding defensive consistency, despite recent struggles.
Finch also stressed the importance of reducing the Bulls' assists, which had accumulated 20 assists at halftime. The Timberwolves continue to search for their defensive identity as roster changes have altered the team's defensive chemistry.
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End of the Bad Streak
This win at the United Center was a welcome one for the Timberwolves, who had struggled in Chicago in recent years. Early in the game, the Bulls were on a roll, scoring 10 of their first 15 three-point attempts and building a 13-point lead.
However, the Timberwolves were able to adjust in the second half, limiting the Bulls to just five three-pointers after the break, allowing them to finally snap their streak of consecutive losses in Chicago.
The Timberwolves will return home to face the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center in what will be the first of three meetings between the two teams. The game is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET, and the Timberwolves are preparing for a streak of back-to-back games after facing the Miami Heat on Sunday.
