© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls rally from 23 points down to thwart the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime
With a cloud of uncertainty hanging over them, the Chicago Bulls gave the fans one last, memorable look at this team as they stunned one of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves, 129-123, in overtime on Tuesday night.
Coby White and DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points each to help the Bulls prop their record up to 24-27. Nikola Vucevic added 24 points, while fellow big man Andre Drummond had 16 points and 16 rebounds in his first start alongside Vooch.
Epic comeback
The Bulls weren’t having much fun as they trailed by 22, 69-47, at halftime, which later became 74-51 after a triple by Wolves All-Star Anthony Edwards. However, much like their previous game against the Sacramento Kings—a game wherein they trailed by as many as 30 points—the Bulls suddenly came alive, thanks to the stellar play of White, the incomparable guard from North Carolina.
Limited to only three points at halftime, the fifth-year pro hit his stride and tore the Wolves’ defense to shreds, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter. The Most Improved Player contender showcased his deep arsenal of scoring moves, including a barrage of three-pointers, floaters, and tough drives to the rim, including an and-one that put Chicago in the driver’s seat, 112-110, with 2:28 to go in the fourth.
The Bulls extended their lead to 115-112, but the Wolves tied it up at 115-all, courtesy of a triple from Karl-Anthony Towns. DeRozan had a shot at winning the game at the end of regulation but missed badly on his midrange jumper.
Stepped up in OT
Deebo made up for missing the potential game-winner by scoring the first six points in overtime. Two baskets and two free throws by DeRozan put the Bulls ahead 127-122, but Edwards trimmed it to four with a free throw with only 41 seconds remaining.
Minnesota had a chance to pull closer after Vooch missed a triple and Edwards came up with the board, but Bulls guard Alex Caruso came out of nowhere to block Ant’s attempt to preserve their lead and snatch the win.
After the game, White—who had seven assists and five boards—said they must not get into the habit of trying to rally from huge deficits.
“We started to make shots, and the crowd starts to get into it, get behind and we changed the momentum of the game,” White said.
“But it’s not a fun way to live: digging yourselves in a hole. We’ve got to figure out a way to at least not make the first half and the second half look so drastically different.”
