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Tuesday, Dec. 5 8:00pm ET
Bulls go even younger in loss

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Chicago Bulls already were short on talent.

Taking leading scorers Elton Brand and Ron Mercer out of their lineup for Tuesday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves seemed almost unfair.

And yet, the Wolves struggled to a 100-90 victory over the Bulls, who started rookies Marcus Fizer, Khalid El-Amin and Dragan Tarlac, second-year player Ron Artest and third-year veteran Corey Benjamin.

"Not to make any excuses," Artest said, "but that's probably the first time all the young players were on the court at the same time."

Mercer was sick, and Brand hyperextended his left knee last Friday against the New York Knicks.

While the Bulls, who fell to a league-worst 2-15, were philosophical about the loss, the Wolves were disappointed that they could not finish them off.

The Timberwolves shot better than 65 percent while building a 20-point lead just before halftime, but were held to a franchise-low two field goals in the third quarter. The Bulls pulled within 80-73 early in the fourth quarter.

The Bulls outperformed the Wolves on the so-called "hustle" statistics. Chicago outscored Minnesota 46-24 in the paint, 12-3 on second-chance points and 22-18 on fastbreaks.

"You see the way we get after each other in practice, and it's night and day between that and game situations," Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. "There can't be that big a discrepancy between that and how you play when the lights go on."

Saunders said the Wolves probably thought they had the game won when they saw the Bulls' starting lineup.

The Bulls weren't sure what to think.

"It was very difficult," El-Amin said. "We haven't even tried to think of that happening."

El-Amin, a former star at Minneapolis North High School, had 15 points and six assists in his first NBA game at Target Center.

"I think my family, my friends and my fans can be happy about my performance," El-Amin said. "It was special for me."

Kevin Garnett led the Wolves with 25 points, and Chauncey Billups added 22.

Minnesota secured the victory with a 14-2 run following a timeout with 10:48 remaining in the game.

The Timberwolves opened the game by making 9 of 10 shots. They shot 65.8 percent while taking a 62-46 halftime lead.

The Wolves trailed 24-23 in the first quarter before going on a 39-18 run over the next 14 minutes.

Game notes
Bulls coach Tim Floyd said he isn't sure if Brand and Mercer will be able to play tonight against Cleveland. ... The Timberwolves were 2-for-16 shooting (12.5 percent) in the third quarter. Yet, they were outscored by only 23-18 during that quarter because they made 14 of 16 free throws. ... The Wolves still tied their season high by shooting 50.0 percent. ... The Wolves returned home following a stretch of six road games in 10 days. The three opponents in this homestand -- the Bulls, Washington and Los Angeles Clippers -- have a combined road record of 4-22.
NBA Scoreboard

Chicago Clubhouse

Minnesota Clubhouse

RECAPS
Indiana 88
New Jersey 64

Miami 100
Atlanta 92

Cleveland 71
Charlotte 66

Orlando 101
Boston 98

Minnesota 100
Chicago 90

Sacramento 81
San Antonio 75

Houston 109
Dallas 102

Utah 98
Toronto 84

Vancouver 91
Detroit 83

LA Lakers 96
Philadelphia 85


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