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Bulls and Wolves tangle at Target Center

Jan 10, 2012 - 3:42 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Bulls will resume the lone back-to-back-to-back stretch of their season when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at the Target Center.

Chicago began the trio of contests with last night's 92-68 victory over the Detroit Pistons at the United Center, as Carlos Boozer had 23 points and eight rebounds and reigning MVP Derrick Rose posted 22 points and eight assists.

Ronnie Brewer tallied 12 points for the Bulls, who rebounded from a 109-94 loss at Atlanta on Saturday and will finish its jumbled schedule Wednesday versus Washington. The Bulls are in the midst of alternating away and home games over the next 10 contests.

"I liked the way we started the game on both ends," Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Our ball movement was good. It got us into a rhythm. Carlos played a terrific game and our bench came in and gave us a lift."

Bulls guards Richard Hamilton (groin) and C.J. Watson (elbow) are expected to miss tonight's game. Chicago's 8-2 record is the best start since the 1996-97 team began the season with 12 straight wins.

Chicago has held its opponents to less than 100 points in eight of its first 10 games, and is 7-1 when holding the opposition under the century mark. The Bulls have won five of seven games as the guest this season.

Minnesota is last in the Northwest Division and has dropped three of its last four games, including Monday's 97-87 setback at Toronto.

Kevin Love recorded his ninth straight double-double to start the season, scoring 13 points with 14 rebounds. J.J. Barea shook off a hamstring issue and scored a team-high 16 points off the bench, while rookie Ricky Rubio had 10. Barea had missed four straight and five of six games with the leg problem.

"We were way too inconsistent through the game and it cost us," said Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman.

The Timberwolves were without Michael Beasley because of a right foot injury and the forward is questionable for this evening. Minnesota will try to stop a two-game slide in the Twin Cities and is 2-4 as the host this season.

Chicago has swept the past two-game series with Minnesota, but has lost 10 of its previous 13 trips to the Target Center.