The Minnesota Timberwolves lost at home to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night 102-87. It is the fifth straight time the Bulls have beaten the Wolves at Target Center, and their sixth straight win.
As the game went on, the injury-depleted Wolves seemed to run out of gas. They dealt with an additional injury on Wednesday night as J.J. Barea missed the game with back spasms and a sore neck.
After a competitive first half, the Bulls opened the game up late in the third quarter with a big 11-2 run. It would change the complexion of the night, and send the Wolves back to .500, on the season.
The biggest difference in the game was how the two teams shot three’s. Minnesota was just 4 of 17, from behind the arc, while Chicago was 11 of 21.
Chicago’s Joakim Noah posted his fourth triple-double of the season. Noah scored 15 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and had 10 assists. He was on of six Bulls’ players in double-figures.
Joakim's got 11 pts, 11 rebs & 10 assists. It's his 4th triple-double, tied w/ Lance Stephenson for most in NBA. #TripTrippin
— Mark Remme (@MarkRemme) April 10, 2014
D.J. Augustin led the way for the Bulls, he finished with 21 points off the bench. Augustin played 30 minutes and knocked down four three’s. Kirk Hinrich added 16 for Chicago.
The Wolves weren’t nearly as balanced. Only Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and Ronny Turiaf were the only Wolves in double-figures.
Love finished with another double-double. He scored 17 points and grabbed 10 boards, but it wasn’t a great night shooting for him, he was 7 of 20 from the floor.
Rubio had 15 points and 6 assists, but was also 5 of 14 shooting. Turiaf, brought some badly needed energy, and added 11.
The Wolves (39-39) will host Houston on Friday night.
