SteemSports Presenter:
SteemSports Editor:
The Minnesota Timberwolves traveled to Chicago on Friday night to battle the Bulls at the United Center. Minnesota has a host of ex-Bulls on the roster and staff, from their coach Tom Thibedeau, who coached the Bulls to back-to back number one seeds, to Jimmy Butler, who played for Chicago as one of the best two-way players in the NBA before he was traded last summer for a plethora of young talent including Zach Lavine and Chris Dunn.
The reunion game featured 15 lead changes and nine ties as both teams came out charged up to win. The first quarter was no exception as neither team was able to build more than a five-point lead as the home team took a 30-27 lead into the second quarter. Minnesota responded, scoring 40 points in the second period, building a fourteen-point lead to head into halftime, backed by Butler’s 20 first half points.
The Bulls were determined to get back into the game early, sparking a 22-7 run early in the third quarter to tie the game at 80, and finishing the quarter in a tie at 89.
With Minnesota leading by five with just over one-minute remaining in the game, the former T’Wolf, Zach Lavine took it upon himself to take over, finishing strong in the lane with a dunk in the lane and, then, hitting a three-pointer after a Minnesota turnover to tie the game at 111. Butler responded with a strong finish in the lane to take a 113-111 lead. Once again, Lavine called his own number and took a three, and was fouled with eighteen seconds left in the game. Levine hit all three of his free throws to give his team a 114-113 lead. Minnesota’s last chance fell short when Karl-Anthony Towns and Butler both missed go-ahead three-pointers on their final possession, allowing the Bulls to emerge victorious 114-113.
Zach Lavine led the Bulls with 35 points, scoring his team’s final eight points. Butler carded 38 points against his former team in the loss.
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