In the first of two consecutive home games before the start of the new NBA regular season, the Chicago Bulls accept that Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday at the United Center.

With only two warm-up games remaining, the Bulls’ goal will be to snap a streak of two consecutive defeats and get back on track, while the Timberwolves will look to secure a win over their hosts, having lost the two clashes between the teams this year.

Game preview

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Playing their final road game before the start of the 2024-24 regular season, the Chicago Bulls found themselves on the wrong end of another close battle as they lost 111-107 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday at Fiserv Forum Arena.

After a bright start to the competition, the Bulls outscored their hosts by ten points in the first quarter before opening up a nine-point lead at half-time Giannis Antetokounmpo And Damian Lillard combined to give the Bucks a 32-15 run in the third quarter before rallying for a four-point victory.

Despite the defeat, Bulls is head coach Billy Donovan will be encouraged by his side’s resilient performance at this stage of pre-season as six of his players finished with double-figure points, led by Adama Sanogowho excelled at the Fiserv Forum for Chicago.

In the absence of key players like Lonzo Ball, Zach Lavine And Nikola VucevicSanogo posted a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds to go along with two blocks and three assists, asserting his dominance on both ends of the court in his first key minutes of the preseason.

Chicago had begun its preseason with a 116-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 9, four days before losing to the Memphis Grizzlies 124-121 despite holding the lead for the final 50 seconds of the contest.

After Thursday’s game, the Bulls will face Cleveland in their second home game on Oct. 19, five days before their regular-season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center.

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As for the Minnesota Timberwolves, their 100 percent preseason record ended Sunday with a thrilling 115-110 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

This was the first meeting between the two teams since the blockbuster trade that sent the Timberwolves Karl Anthony citieswho spent nine seasons at Target Center, in return, goes in the other direction Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle And Keita Bates Diop.

Anthony Edwards made headlines with a red-hot performance, scoring 31 points in 27 minutes of play, including eight of 13 from behind the arc, but Jalen Brunson scored 24 points OG Anuboby scored 19 points and inspired the Knicks to a hard-fought victory.

Before that, Chris FinchThe Los Angeles men started their preseason with a commanding 124-107 victory over the weakened Los Angeles Lakers on October 5, a week before they recorded a 10-point victory over the Philadelphia 76ers (121-111).

The Timberwolves will now focus on Thursday’s matchup against a Bulls team they haven’t beaten in their two meetings this year. They lost in overtime 129-123 in February before losing 109-101 on April 1 at Target Center.

Chicago Bulls pre-season form:

Chicago Bulls form (all competitions):

Minnesota Timberwolves form:

Minnesota Timberwolves (all competitions):

Team news

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With only two friendlies remaining before the regular season begins, Donovan is hoping to have a healthy squad at his disposal with several players returning to full fitness.

Patrick Williams (Wrist) Ayo Dosunmu (Shoulder), Coby White (knee) and Ball (knee) all missed Monday’s loss due to injuries and remain active ahead of Thursday’s clash.

Lavine and Vucevic were also notable absences against the Bucks, while Donovan opted for the two starters Julian Phillips‘s appearance at the Fiserv Forum on Monday was canceled due to a groin problem.

Vucevic is expected to return to action on Thursday, while 20-year-old forward Phillips, who scored 10 points in 12 minutes against the Bucks before his injury, will be evaluated before the game.

With veteran Mike Conley With the Timberwolves missing the Knicks game due to a break, they have a healthy roster and Edwards, who has 60 points in two games against the Bulls this year, is expected to lead the starting lineup.

DiVincenzo finished the weekend with 15 points against his former employers, including two of five attempts from 3-point range, and the 27-year-old guard will look to build on a solid preseason.

Chicago Bulls possible starting spot 5:
Lavine, Giddey, Bitim, Terry, Vucevic

Minnesota Timberwolves possible starting spot 5:
Edward, DiVincenzo, Reid, McDaniels, Gobert

We say: Minnesota Timberwolves win by more than 3 points.

Despite missing several starters, the Chicago Bulls held their own against the Bucks on Monday and will take the positives from the loss as they ramp up their preparations for the regular season.

Edwards has excelled in the preseason, scoring 47 points in 51 minutes in just two games. While we expect the 23-year-old to see limited playing time at the United Center, we’re backing him to lead the Timberwolves there to a narrow win.

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