DeRozan scores 49 as Bulls beat Timberwolves

CHICAGO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 49 factors, Zach LaVine completed with 39 and the Chicago Bulls beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 139-131 in double time beyond regulation on Friday evening.

Nikola Vucevic added 21 factors and 11 rebounds.

Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards left with a sprained proper ankle within the first quarter, and the Timberwolves misplaced for the fourth time in 5 video games.

Mike Conley led Minnesota with 28 factors, nailing 8 of 12 3-pointers. Rudy Gobert completed with 21 factors and 19 rebounds, and Jaden McDaniels scored 25 factors.

The Bulls led 130-125 within the second OT earlier than Conley hit a 3-pointer. Minnesota’s Naz Reid had a layup rim out, and DeRozan made a turnaround jumper to bump Chicago’s result in 132-28 with 1:27 remaining.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker made the second free throw after an airball to tug the Timberwolves inside three, however Vucevic introduced the Bulls bench to its ft with a thunderous one-handed dunk for a three-point play with simply over a minute left.

Reid drove for a layup to make it a four-point recreation. However DeRozan made 4 free throws within the remaining 36 seconds to assist Chicago come away with a wild win.

Edwards was harm late within the first quarter when he landed awkwardly after leaping whereas throwing a move. He stayed down clutching his ankle earlier than being helped to the again.

Dropping Edwards can be an enormous blow for the Timberwolves, who got here in tied for seventh within the Western Convention and try to keep away from the play-in. He got here into the sport averaging 25 factors and made his first All-Star workforce this 12 months.

Conley nailed a 3 to provide Minnesota a 121-118 lead within the first time beyond regulation. DeRozan tied on a three-point play with simply over a minute left, with Gobert fouling out within the course of.

McDaniels then scored to place Minnesota again on high. LaVine drove for a tying layup with 11 seconds remaining after the Timberwolves’ Taurean Prince threw the ball away, and McDaniels missed a pull-up 3 for Minnesota.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: Coach Chris Finch stated there are “quite a lot of dynamics” to Karl-Anthony Cities’ impending return that the Timberwolves “have not actually dug into” as a result of there are nonetheless some unknowns, resembling whether or not he can be on a minutes restriction. Cities hasn’t performed since he strained his proper calf towards Nov. 28 in a recreation at Washington. The workforce introduced Wednesday the three-time All-Star is anticipated to return “within the coming weeks.” “The benefit of KAT is he is just about wired to make the fitting play, whether or not it is passing or taking pictures,” Finch stated.

Bulls: Coach Billy Donovan wasn’t certain when or even when Lonzo Ball will play once more for Chicago, with the purpose guard set to have one more surgical procedure on his troublesome left knee. Donovan stated Ball will probably bear a cartilage transplant early subsequent week, although he wasn’t certain which day, and is in for “an extended rehab.” The surgical procedure would be the third on the knee in 14 months for Ball, who was dominated out for the season in February.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Go to Toronto on Saturday.

Bulls: Host Miami on Saturday.