Bulls beat Timberwolves 133-116 as Caleb Wilson leads a dominant frontcourt

The Chicago Bulls closed their preseason with a 133-116 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at the United Center, led by rookie Caleb Wilson and a frontcourt that controlled the paint. Chicago led for more than 42 minutes, built a lead of as many as 21 and closed the game with a 35-point fourth quarter.

The context is important. Minnesota left Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and the rest of its top rotation out of the trip, so the Wolves played a lineup built around young reserves and camp players. Chicago, by contrast, gave its regulars a final tune-up before the opener, with coach Tiago Splitter having said beforehand that his starters would play at least a half.

How the game turned

The Bulls led 33-28 after the first quarter and 67-60 at halftime, but Minnesota stayed within reach through the first half behind its young shooters. Chicago pulled away in the second half by attacking inside: it won the third quarter 31-28 to lead 98-88, then outscored the Wolves 35-28 in the fourth.

The numbers explain the gap. Chicago made 38 of 61 two-point attempts (62 percent), outrebounded Minnesota 54-37 and finished with 34 assists to 23. The Bulls also blocked 10 shots against two for the Wolves. Minnesota kept itself in the game for a while at the free-throw line, where it went 28 of 40, but made only 10 of 34 three-point attempts.

Leading performers

Wilson led Chicago with 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 22:34, shooting 7 of 15. Matas Buzelis scored 14 with six rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting, and Jordan Hawkins gave the bench a lift with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from deep. Josh Giddey had 12 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Leonard Miller added 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Orlando Robinson went 3 of 3 for nine points in what turned out to be his final appearance with the team, as the Bulls waived him the next day.

For Minnesota, Isaiah Evans scored a game-high 21 points with five threes. Jaylen Clark added 18 points and three steals, Drew Timme had 18 points and seven rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting, and Cody Williams scored 15. Zyon Pullin played 37:40 and handed out 10 assists to go with 14 points.

What it means

For Chicago, Wilson’s steady preseason continued, and the depth of the forward group showed in how freely Splitter could rotate his bigs. The one concern is availability at center, where Nic Claxton’s hamstring keeps him in doubt for the opener. For Minnesota, a loss with its regulars at home says little about the team that will take the floor next week, but Evans and Clark gave the coaching staff something to think about at the end of the bench.

What comes next

The Bulls open the regular season at the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, October 21, at 7:30 p.m. ET (Game Center). The Timberwolves begin the same night at the Miami Heat, also at 7:30 p.m. ET (Game Center). The full box score is in the Game Center for Friday’s game.