Chicago Bulls Fall to Minnesota Timberwolves in Preseason Game
Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
The Chicago Bulls suffered a 114-105 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their final preseason game at the United Center on Thursday night. Here are 10 key takeaways from the game:
1. Zach LaVine was unable to play due to illness, while Andre Drummond missed the game for personal reasons. LaVine’s absence disrupted coach Billy Donovan’s plan to give his starters regular rotational minutes. Although LaVine played well in his limited action during the preseason, shooting 13-for-17 (76.5 percent) and averaging 17 points in 23.7 minutes, Donovan expressed his wish to have a full complement of players for more flexibility.
2. Alex Caruso returned from a minor ankle injury and contributed seven points and four assists in 18 minutes. Caruso expressed his enjoyment of the defensive chemistry he is forming with Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter in the second unit.
3. The Bulls showcased an impressive offensive performance during a first-quarter 10-1 run, with Patrick Williams delivering an emphatic baseline dunk and DeMar DeRozan making smart passes to increase their 3-point attempts.
4. Donovan elected to stagger Williams and DeRozan as starters with the second unit. However, the Timberwolves took advantage of the smaller Bulls lineup, outscoring them 16-9 in a 6-minute stretch spanning the first and second quarters.
5. The Bulls’ second unit improved in subsequent stints, particularly with the full-court defensive pressure applied by Carter and Caruso. Ayo Dosunmu’s presence alongside Caruso, Craig, and Carter proved to be effective.
6. DeRozan struggled initially but came alive in the second quarter, scoring nine consecutive points. He finished the game with 11 points in 30 minutes.
7. Williams, who faced criticism and a challenge from Donovan in the previous game, showcased his aggressiveness with an attempted dunk over Rudy Gobert in the final minute of the first half. Despite a poor shooting performance, Williams drew fouls and showed improvement from the free-throw line.
8. The Timberwolves opted to rest Anthony Edwards and Gobert in the second half. Edwards had an impressive first half, scoring 19 points in just 20 minutes, demonstrating his growing star power.
9. Nikola Vucevic continued his strong preseason performance, recording his second consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound double-double. He also played in the fourth quarter for the first time this preseason.
10. The Bulls attempted over 30 3-pointers for only the second time in the preseason. However, they struggled with their shooting percentage in this game.
The Bulls will now turn their focus to the regular season as they prepare to face the Detroit Pistons on October 20th. Stay tuned for more updates on the team’s progress.
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