Summer League: Bulls Can’t Overcome Shooting Struggles, Lose 78-59 to Timberwolves

Offensive woes plagued the Chicago Bulls, as they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 78-59 in the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday afternoon.

It was a low-scoring first half, with the Bulls holding a narrow 32-30 edge after the first two quarters despite shooting just 2-for-13 from three-point territory. Overall, the Bulls shot 28.2% from the field in the first half, while the Timberwolves knocked down 34.3% of their shots.

Minnesota’s offense woke up in the third quarter, outscoring the Bulls 28-15 in the ten-minute period to take an 11-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves managed to fend off Chicago down the stretch, not allowing the Bulls to cut the deficit lower than eight points and ending the game on an 8-0 run to finish off a 19-point victory.

The Bulls won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Minnesota 59-50, however, poor shooting throughout the game was too much for Chicago to overcome. The Bulls shot 21.2% overall in the second half, while the Timberwolves’ shot at a 43.3% clip in the half.

Following up a 30-point outing against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, Patrick Williams finished with 18 points and ten rebounds to lead both teams in scoring and rebounding. Chicago’s Marko Simonovic also finished in double figures, recording ten points.

Devon Dotson, on a two-way contract with the Bulls, went down with a right ankle injury in the second quarter and didn’t return to the game. The second-year guard out of the University of Kansas has started all three NBA Summer League games for the Bulls and led Chicago in scoring in the opening game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

The Bulls are back in NBA Summer League action on Sunday when they face off against the Memphis Grizzlies at 9 p.m. CT on NBATV.