Derrick Rose scored a season-high 31 points with 11 assists to lead the Chicago Bulls over the Minnesota Timberwolves, 111-100, on Tuesday night in Minneapolis. Luol Deng added a double-double of his own with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Bulls Vs. Timberwolves: Derrick Rose Carries Chicago To 111-100 Win
The game was never in doubt, with the Bulls nearly doubling up the Wolves with a 33-17 first quarter. They eased up a bit in the second quarter but never enough for the Timberwolves to truly get back in the game. While Rose and Deng did the heavy lifting, Carlos Boozer could never get going, finishing with just seven points on 3-10 shooting. It was just the second time all season he's failed to crack double-digit scoring. Ronnie Brewer, starting in place of the injured Rip Hamilton, added 17.
Despite the final score, the Timberwolves should be encouraged by the play of their young core. Kevin Love scored 20 points with 13 rebounds, while Ricky Rubio came off the bench to score 13 points with 12 assists in 36 minutes. Rookie Derrick Williams struggled -- he shot just 1-7 in 22 minutes -- but Anthony Randolph scored 18 in 29 minutes. Even 30-year-old Luke Ridnour, Minnesota’s elder statesman, looked good with 22 points on an uber-efficient 8-11 shooting.
But while the Timberwolves collect moral victories, the Bulls continue to collect real ones. Chicago improved to 9-2, winning their second in a row. They'll return home overnight to host the Wizards on Wednesday, their third game in three nights. The Wolves, meanwhile, fell to 3-8. They don't play again until Friday in Philadelphia.
For more on the two teams, check out Chicago Bulls blog Blog A Bull and Minnesota Timberwolves blog Canis Hoopus. For more around the Association, check out SB Nation’s NBA news hub.
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