Bulls hold off pesky Timberwolves
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 12 Jan 2012
WHEN the Bulls raced to a 51-27 lead with only 5:21 left in the second quarter of their game against the Timberwolves at the Target Center in Minnesota last night , it seemed like their second straight win was a wrap.
But something scary happened on the way to the Bulls' 9th win in 11 games. Thanks to a cluster of timely 3-point shots and the prolific play of guards Ricky Rubio and Luke Ridnour, the Timberwolves clawed back to tie things up at 70-70 at the 3:46 mark of the 3rd quarter.
That's when the Bulls found an unliikely savior in Ronnie Brewer, who rattled five straight points to give Chicago some breathing room with a 75-70 cushion. Playing for the injured Rip Hamilton (groin strain), the 6-foot-7, 227-pound Brewer made the most of his extended minutes and scored 17 on 5-of-10 shooting. A 5-yera pro, Brewer also had four rebounds and three assists.
Luol Deng also played a pivotal role in keeping the Bulls above water in the midst of the Wolves' fiery rally. Deng, who had 21 points and 11 rebounds, drilled a short jumper and a 3 to keep Minnesota at bay 70-62 with still over four minutes left in the third quarter.
The Wolves would keep knocking on the door from that point on, and when Kevin Love made a pair of free throws in the final 1:33 of play, Minnesota had crept dangerously close to within 100-106.
And that's when MVP Derrick Rose put an end to all the drama. Rose, who had 14 of his game-high 31 points in the closing period, calmly drained a back-breaking 3 that put Chicago beyond reach, 109-100 with just 71 seconds remaining.
Despite an arid spell late in the second quarter, the Bulls shot 43-of-81 from the field (53.1 percent) and 11-of-21 from beyond the arc. They also dominated the boards 47-30 and gathered 24 assists against the Wolves' 18. The Bulls, unfortunately, did have 18 turnovers, which allowed the Wolves to mount repeated comebacks.
Ridnour led Minnesota with 22 while big man Kevin Love tallied 22 points and 13 rebounds. But the Wolves struggled from the field, making just 33 of their 78 shots, including 8-of-22 from 3-point territory. The 3-7 Wolves also missed 6 free throws.
The Bulls wrap up their three games in three nights extravaganza with a date against the 1-8 Washington Wizards Wednesday night at the United Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
Sun, 21 Dec 2025Jake Paul Undergoes Surgery for Broken Jaw Following Knockout Loss to Anthony Joshua
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 21 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Dec 2025ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025