Timberwolves 89 - 96 Bulls
Final
  for this game

Butler guides Bulls past Timberwolves

Feb 28, 2015 - 5:07 AM

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Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Jimmy Butler had 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead Chicago past the Minnesota Timberwolves, 96-89, on the same day the Bulls received good news about Derrick Rose's latest knee surgery.

Rose is expected to only miss 4-to-6 weeks after having surgery Friday to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee. The star point guard could return before the end of the regular season.

Mike Dunleavy added 21 points, eight rebounds and two blocks for the Bulls, who bounced back from Wednesday's 98-86 loss to Charlotte Hornets. Joakim Noah contributed 11 points, 12 boards and eight assists.

Chicago forward Pau Gasol sat out with an illness and Taj Gibson left in the first quarter with a left ankle injury.

"It is hard, but we have enough bodies and weapons on our bench to where guys can mix and match and play different positions and guard different positions," said Butler.

Kevin Martin ended with 18 points for the Timberwolves, who fell to 5-23 on the road this season. Ricky Rubio had 15 points and 10 assists, Nikola Pekovic recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds and Andrew Wiggins scored 14 points.

Minnesota coach Flip Saunders decided to rest Kevin Garnett in the first part of back-to-back games for the Timberwolves. The veteran forward, who was reacquired by Minnesota in a trade with Brooklyn last week, played 19 minutes in an emotional 97-77 home victory over Washington on Wednesday night.

The Bulls trailed 85-84 before Kirk Hinrich made a layup to spark a late 9-1 run. Dunleavy added a 3-pointer and Hinrich made another layup before Butler converted a bank shot to give Chicago a 93-86 edge with 1:17 to play.

"I thought we played hard defensively," said Saunders. "For the Bulls, they have All-Stars who performed down the stretch. Butler made plays and Noah made plays and that's what you want your All-Stars to do."

The game featured six lead changes and nine ties.

Game Notes

The Bulls went 9-of-31 from beyond the arc ... Minnesota went 21-of-31 from the foul line ... The Timberwolves head home to play Memphis on Saturday, while the Bulls welcome the Clippers to town on Sunday.






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