Pre-Gamin’: Timberwolves at Bulls (7:00 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Odds, Game Thread

Three in a row?

Broadcast Info

Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT) NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score (Audio)

Chicago Bulls

Projected Starters:

1. Coby White
2. Zach LaVine
3. Garrett Temple
4. Patrick Williams
5. Wendell Carter Jr.

Injury Report: Lauri Markkanen OUT (shoulder), Otto Porter OUT (back), Chandler Hutchison OUT (personal reasons)

Minnesota Timberwolves

Projected Starters:

1. Ricky Rubio
2. Malik Beasley
3. Anthony Edwards
4. Jarred Vanderbilt
5. Karl-Anthony Towns

Injury Report: Jarrett Culver PROBABLE (ankle), D’Angelo Russell OUT (knee)

Odds

The Bulls are -4.5 point favorites for tonight’s matchup against the Timberwolves, according to the FanDuel Illinois Sportsbook (-110), the PointsBet Illinois Sportsbook (-110), and the DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook (-112).

You can sign up for each of those books below, and get yourself a nice deposit bonus in the process.

What to Watch For

•   This is a must-win, right? The Timberwolves hold the worst record in the NBA (7-25), they have lost five in a row, they are on the backend of a back-to-back for them (played Milwaukee last night), and they have the second-worst Net Rating in the league. Yeah, it’s a must-win.

•   The Timberwolves allow opposing teams to shoot the 4th-most free throws per game, and they also allow the 3rd-most points in the paint on a nightly basis. In other words, the Bulls should be looking to attack the paint from start to finish. Get this team in foul trouble early, and control the game at the line. Just make it easy.

•   Wendell Carter Jr. vs. Karl-Anthony Towns should be a lot of fun. The matchup will be very different than what Carter Jr. saw on Monday against the small-ball Rockets. And while I hope the Bulls try to take advantage of feeding Carter Jr. the ball in the paint as much as possible, they’ll likely need their center to be more focused on the defensive end.

•   After averaging 20 points to start the month, Edwards has come back down to earth. The rookie has shot a dismal 22.6 percent from the field and 24.0 percent from behind that arc over the team’s last four games. He is the type of player who can get hot and make a highlight play at any moment, though, so the Bulls probably shouldn’t treat him like any old slumping rookie.

•   How hungry does Zach LaVine look in his first game as an All-Star?

Get Caught Up …

LIVE: Head Coach Billy Donovan media availability prior to tonight’s game against the Timberwolves. https://t.co/mb0UePtg1o

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 24, 2021

Billy Donovan said his feeling is it’s “highly unlikely” Lauri Markkanen will return before All-Star break. Still no contact. Not impossible, but says Bulls need to be careful with re-injury risk

— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) February 24, 2021

Billy Donovan was asked about seeing #Bulls' 2nd-half schedule. He noted they're amid a 17 games-in-31 days stretch.

"Now I think it's 37 in 66 or something," he said of the 2nd half.

Donovan added there won't be much time for practice.

— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) February 24, 2021