The Wolves score 45 points in fourth place to rally past the Bulls

On By Littum

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago BullsNovember 7, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) defends against Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) in the first half at the United Center. Mandatory credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 33 points with eight rebounds and six assists and Julius Randle added 22 points and 10 rebounds as the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves rallied past the Chicago Bulls 135-119 on Thursday.

Minnesota outscored Chicago 45-24 in the fourth quarter to win for the third time in four games. Chicago has lost four in a row.

Nikola Vucevic (25 points) and Coby White (24) paced Chicago, which was outscored 40-33. Talen Horton-Tucker and Ayo Dosunmu each scored 13 points, Patrick Williams had 12 and Josh Giddey contributed nine points and 13 assists.

Chicago led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but had a hard time holding off Minnesota. Randle’s layup with 6:47 to play put the Timberwolves ahead 107-106, their first advantage since 9-8.

A 12-0 run over 2:43 put Minnesota up 113-106 midway through the fourth. Edwards contributed six points during the surge.

Rudy Gobert had 21 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota. Jaden McDaniels scored 19 points, Mike Conley had 14 points and 11 assists and Donte DiVincenzo added 13 points.

After committing 22 turnovers during their 119-99 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, the Bulls significantly improved their ball control to finish off a back-to-back set. Chicago had seven turnovers in the first half Thursday and 13 for the game. Minnesota had 12 turnovers.

Ball movement was another strong suit for the Bulls, who had 30 assists on 47 field goals. They assisted on 13 of their 14 markers to start the game, helping Chicago take the lead after the first quarter for the first time this season.

Zach LaVine, who leads the Bulls in scoring this season, missed his third straight game with a right adductor strain.

The Timberwolves ended a three-game losing streak against the Bulls and a five-game skid at the United Center.

Vucevic (13 points) and Williams (12) helped the Bulls to a 65-56 halftime lead. Randle (14) and Edwards (13) scored in double figures for Minnesota in the first half.

–Field-level media