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Bulls top Wolves to go 5-1 in preseason play
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AP/Nam Y. Huh
There was no love lost as the Bulls (5-1) battled the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-3) on Friday, after defeating them on the road, 99-94 on Wednesday; this time holding another late Wolves charge off, winning 94-90.
There was the loss of Wolves second-year forward Kevin Love, who will be out of action for atleast 6 weeks after fracturing his 4th Metacarpal in his left hand after banging it into teammates Oleksiy Pecherov's (16 points) elbow while going up for a rebound.
"I was on the right block, there was a missed free throw, I went to grab it and I hit Pech's elbow with my left hand pretty hard and it ended up being broken," said Love, who finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds. "I was in such a good rhythm. I felt if I could get some solid minutes, I could put up some good numbers and really produce for the team. The other thing is just being out here with my teammates, building chemistry with guys I haven't played with for a bunch of years, that's really disappointing."
Wolves coach, Kurt Rambis choose to look at the situation differently.
"It's unfortunate," Rambis said. "It's going to have an impact on our team, but it's an opportunity for somebody else. Guys are going to have to step up and play."
On a more positive note, after missing two week with a right hip injury, Tyrus Thomas returned to the lineup and showed no lingering signs, going full-force, crashing the glass, getting putbacks, catching lobs and protecting the rim.
Thomas led the Bulls with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. He went 7-9 from the field and 8-13 from the charity stripe.
"It was good to just come out and play, have some fun and to get the win," Thomas said
The game followed the theme of Wednesday nights game, as the Bulls built a big lead and with the help of some costly turnovers, found themselves in a game of back-and-forth with the Timberwolves in the closing moments.
The Bulls managed to close the game, thanks to free throws and two air-balled three's by Pecherov.
Taj Gibson chipped in with 14 points and 6 rebounds, Kirk Hinrich finished with 12, Jannero Pargo had 13, and James Johnson finished with 10.
The Timberwolves were led by Corey Brewer (20 points), and Al Jefferson, (10 points and 16 rebounds.)
With Thomas's skills on full display, it's easy to see why many believe this will be a breakout year for the four-year forward. However, Thomas has never been one to pay much attention to what's being said about him.
"I'm just going to do what I can do, Thomas said. "I'm going to leave the saying of what kind of year it is to you guys and I'm just going to do me."
GAME NOTES
Derrick Rose missed his fourth-straight preseason game, but did take the floor to shoot around, prior to tip-off. John Salmons missed the game to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. Brad Miller also returned back to play after being sidelined with the flu and scored 4 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
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