RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Chicago Bulls already were short on
talent.
Taking leading scorers Elton Brand and Ron Mercer out of their
lineup for Tuesday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves
seemed almost unfair.
And yet, the Wolves struggled to a 100-90 victory over the
Bulls, who started rookies Marcus Fizer, Khalid El-Amin and Dragan
Tarlac, second-year player Ron Artest and third-year veteran Corey
Benjamin.
"Not to make any excuses," Artest said, "but that's probably
the first time all the young players were on the court at the same
time."
Mercer was sick, and Brand hyperextended his left knee last
Friday against the New York Knicks.
While the Bulls, who fell to a league-worst 2-15, were
philosophical about the loss, the Wolves were disappointed that
they could not finish them off.
The Timberwolves shot better than 65 percent while building a
20-point lead just before halftime, but were held to a
franchise-low two field goals in the third quarter. The Bulls
pulled within 80-73 early in the fourth quarter.
The Bulls outperformed the Wolves on the so-called "hustle"
statistics. Chicago outscored Minnesota 46-24 in the paint, 12-3 on
second-chance points and 22-18 on fastbreaks.
"You see the way we get after each other in practice, and it's
night and day between that and game situations," Wolves coach Flip
Saunders said. "There can't be that big a discrepancy between that
and how you play when the lights go on."
Saunders said the Wolves probably thought they had the game won
when they saw the Bulls' starting lineup.
The Bulls weren't sure what to think.
"It was very difficult," El-Amin said. "We haven't even tried
to think of that happening."
El-Amin, a former star at Minneapolis North High School, had 15
points and six assists in his first NBA game at Target Center.
"I think my family, my friends and my fans can be happy about
my performance," El-Amin said. "It was special for me."
Kevin Garnett led the Wolves with 25 points, and Chauncey
Billups added 22.
Minnesota secured the victory with a 14-2 run following a
timeout with 10:48 remaining in the game.
The Timberwolves opened the game by making 9 of 10 shots. They
shot 65.8 percent while taking a 62-46 halftime lead.
The Wolves trailed 24-23 in the first quarter before going on a
39-18 run over the next 14 minutes.
Game notes
Bulls coach Tim Floyd said he isn't sure if Brand and
Mercer will be able to play tonight against Cleveland. ... The
Timberwolves were 2-for-16 shooting (12.5 percent) in the third
quarter. Yet, they were outscored by only 23-18 during that quarter
because they made 14 of 16 free throws. ... The Wolves still tied
their season high by shooting 50.0 percent. ... The Wolves returned
home following a stretch of six road games in 10 days. The three
opponents in this homestand -- the Bulls, Washington and Los Angeles
Clippers -- have a combined road record of 4-22.
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NBA Scoreboard
Chicago Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 88
New Jersey 64
Miami 100
Atlanta 92
Cleveland 71
Charlotte 66
Orlando 101
Boston 98
Minnesota 100
Chicago 90
Sacramento 81
San Antonio 75
Houston 109
Dallas 102
Utah 98
Toronto 84
Vancouver 91
Detroit 83
LA Lakers 96
Philadelphia 85
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