The Chicago Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-96 at the United Center tonight, ending the Bulls three game losing streak.

The Bulls opened up a double digit lead on the Timberwolves in the third quarter, and coasted to an easy victory.

Joakim Noah led the Bulls, scoring 20 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Kirk Hinrich also scored 20 points and dished 7 assists. The most encouraging thing about Hinrich’s performance tonight was that he went 4-9 from three point shooting. If guys like Hinrich and Salmons start hitting their three point shots again, the Bulls will find it much easier to win.

Taj Gibson also had a nice game, finishing with 13 points an 9 rebounds. Gibson started the struggling with his shot, but he found his stroke after having a shot bounce off the top of the backboard and into the basket. This game helps to further cement Gibson’s spot in the starting lineup with this performance, and Tyrus Thomas’ struggling performance. Thomas does a lot of positives on the court, finishing with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals, but he continuously screws himself out of a starting spot by mixing the good with a lot of bad, boneheaded plays, as evidenced by his 6 turnovers tonight.

The Bulls got good performances off the bench from Brad Miller and John Salmons. Brad Miller finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Miller has been having a lot of success with his slow motion drives the past few games. John Salmons had 14 points on 6-10 shooting.

James Johnson also had a pretty good game. Nothing eye popping, as he finished with 6 points on 2-2 shooting, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, but it was still the best that he’s looked in a game this year in my opinion. He showed flashes of his talents in leading some Bulls’ fastbreaks.

Derrick Rose finished with 8 points and 7 assists, and Luol Deng also finished with 8 points.

For the Timberwolves, Johnny Flynn had 14 points and 8 assists, and Corey Brewer and Al Jefferson scored 12 points each. Kevin Love had 9 points and 10 rebounds.

Ryan Gomes led the Timberwolves in scoring with 15 points off the bench.

The Bulls did what they were supposed to do tonight in taking care of business against a terrible Minnesota Timberwolves teams. The only team worse than the Timberwolves are the Nets, so this is the type of game that is a must win, and the Bulls did that tonight.

With the win, the Bulls improve to 15-20 on the season.

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 94 to 90 at the United Center last night.

Tyrus Thomas was huge in this game, finishing with 22 point, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Tyrus did exactly what you want out of him last night. He was active on the boards, and he was aggressive attacking the basket. When Tyrus attacks like this on offense, he usually scores. Nice to see Tyrus Thomas go and put up a 22/13 game a day after saying he could average 20/10 for the season.

Taj Gibson scored 14 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. He continues to put up solid game after solid game.

James Johnson had a solid 10 points on 4-8 shooting. Joakim Noah added in 8 points and 5 rebounds.

Jannero Pargo had 13 points and 7 assists. He looked to pass more tonight than he had in previous games, and the results were good. It also helps to have another finisher out there in Tyrus Thomas.

Al Jefferson finished with 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Corey Brewer had 20 points and Johnny Flynn had 10 points an 8 assists.

Kirk Hinrich finished with 12 points on 3-11 shooting and 5 assists. Not a great shooting game for Hinrich, but he helped to mitigate the bad shooting day by getting to the line five times, which is nice to see.

Luol Deng had another bad game, scoring 6 points on 2-7 shooting. This is a disturbing trend. Through six preseason games, he is shooting 50.2 TS%. If he continues to do that in the regular season, he needs to be benched in favor of James Johnson, and the Bulls should look to trade him for any expiring contract available. There is no guarantee that any team would offer an expiring contract for Deng. You can’t have players scoring this inefficiently in your starting lineup, or off your bench, if you want to be a great team.

With the win, the Bulls improved to 5-1 in preseason play.

Closing Comments

The Bulls have done nothing yet in the preseason to get you too excited for the regular season. All the teams that they have beaten in the preseason thus far have been mediocre to bad. However, there is reason to be excited because of the play of the Bulls’ front court. Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas, James Johnson, and Taj Gibson have all looked good. If they can continue the good production into the regular season, the Bulls should be able to make the playoffs, as they will get good perimeter play out of Kirk Hinrich, John Salmons, and Derrick Rose.

Hopefully the Bulls frontcourt continues to play this way into the regular season, because we will be good if that’s the case.

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 93-85 to cap off a successful summer league.

James Johnson looked good once again. Johnson finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Johnson found most of his success scoring wise taking his man off the dribble, scoring with short shots, and also drawing fouls and hitting his free throws. His jumpshots were off once again.

His passing was crisp as well, often finding his teammates who were cutting to the basket, just at the right time.

Johnson had a great show of strength with 3:56 left in the second quarter. The Wolves had a 2 on 1 fastbreak, and Johnson was defending the break. Devin Green ended up being the guy getting to go for the layup, and Johnson went for the block, and he just knocked Green to the ground hard, even though he didn’t swing too hard into Green.

Demarcus Nelson looked good today as well, scoring 18 points on 7-10 shooting. He got a lot of points driving to the hoop, throwing in short runners and layups. I can’t see this translating into the regular season agains’t more legitimate shotblockers than what he is going up against in summer league.

Anthony Roberson had a solid game, scoring 15 points on 5-12 shooting.

Corey Brewer led the Timberwolves in scoring with 20 points.

Johnny Flynn came off the bench for the Timberwolves, and finished with 7 points, 7 assists, and 4 turnovers. Flynn’s athleticism is impressive, and the potential is definitely there for him to be a good point guard in the NBA. Flynn finished the game off with a windmill dunk that got the crowd excited. Flynn really struggled today, and Nelson’s strong defense was a big factor in this.

Taureen Green had 10 points an 8 assists off the bench for the Bulls, and Tyrell Biggs chipped in 12 points.

For the Timberwolves, Gary Siler finished with 12 points, and Wayne Ellington finished with 10 points.

With the win, the Bulls finish the 2009 Las Vegas Summer League with a 3-2 record.

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma, Sophomore)

The Clippers have a history of making lackluster draft selections, but they’re not going to mess this one up.  Right?

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Ricky Rubio (Joventut)

If Yi Jianlian’s threats didn’t stop the Bucks from drafting him, then the Grizzlies shouldn’t cave to the demands of Rubio.  The flashy guard is a perfect fit for Memphis’ high tempo offense.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden (Arizona State, Sophomore)

While Harden only measured 6′5″ in shoes, his great weight should help him to be a good defensive force if he puts his mind to it.  Harden will give the Thunder some added scoring, and Harden will step in for Thabo Sefolosha, who was never a longterm solution at shooting guard for the Thunder.

4. Sacramento Kings -Brandon Jennings (Lottomatica Roma)

The Kings may have something at the shooting guard spot in Kevin Martin, at the power forward spot with Jason Thompson, and at center, with Spencer Hawes.  Therefore, they could choose to pass on a big man, opting for a point guard, a position that has had increased importance placed on it as of late.

5. Washington Wizards - Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut, Junior)

The Wizards were one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA last season.  Thabeet’s shotblocking prowess should help improve their dreadful defense.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyreke Evans (Memphis, Freshman)

Minnesota is set in the frontcourt with Al Jefferson and Keivn Love, so they will look for help in the backcourt.

7. Golden State Warriors - Jordan Hill (Arizona, Junior)

Hill averaged an impressive 18 points and 11 rebounds in his junior season.  He will slip down to seventh because of team needs, and will be a great value pick for the Warriors.

8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry (Davidson, Junior)

The Knicks have reportedly given a gaurantee to Curry.

9. Toronto Raptors - DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh, Sophomore)

Even if the Raptors decide to keep Chris Bosh, they still will need more toughness up front.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Ty Lawson (North Carolina, Junior)

Scott Skiles likes winners, and he will be looking for a point guard to help lead his team.

11. New Jersey Nets - Earl Clark (Louisville, Junior)

The Nets will be looking to find a front court mate for Brook Lopez.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - DeMar DeRozen (USC, Freshman)

After trading Jason Richardson, the Bobcats will be in a market for a shooting guard.  They are in need of a star, and DeRozen has some star potential.

13. Indiana Pacers - James Johnson (Wake Forest, Sophomore)

The Pacers seem set in the perimeter positions, so they will look for some big man help.

14. Phoenix Suns - Johnny Flynn (Syracuse, Sophomore)

The Suns begin preparing for life after Steve Nash by drafting his replacement.

15. Detroit Pistons - Omri Casspi (Maccabi Tel Aviv)

With this pick, the Pistons go for a player they can store overseas for a few years while they keep their salary commitment down while they have capspace.  The Pistons have been toying with the idea of trading either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince, so if he does come over this season, there may be minutes for him.

16. Chicago Bulls - B.J. Mullens (Ohio State, Freshman)

The Bulls have needed front court help for so long, and Mullens is a guy with start potential.  Mullen’s measurements from the pre-draft camp were impressive, measuring in at 7′1″, 258 pounds, with a 9′3″ standing reach.

17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor (VCU, Senior)

Even if the 76ers re-sign Andre Miller, he isn’t a longterm solution, as he is getting up there in age.  The 76ers would look for Maynor to be their point guard of the future.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Chase Budinger (Arizona, Junior)

With their second pick in the draft, the T’Wolves look for more help out on the perimeter.  Budinger should give Al Jefferson an option to kick the ball out to for three.

19. Atlanta Hawks - Jrue Holiday (UCLA, Freshman)

With Bibby aging and a free agent, the Hawks will need some help at the point guard position.

20. Utah Jazz - Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State, Senior)

The Jazz will be looking for some front court help as potentially three of their big men, Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap, and Mehmet Okur will be free agents.

21. New Orleans Hornets -Victor Claver (Pamesa Valencia)

Claver is an international player that the Hornets may be able to store overseas for a few years.  Claver could provide some solid three point shooting that would complement Chris Paul.

22. Dallas Mavericks - Gerald Henderson (Duke, Junior)

The Mavericks take Henderson as a value pick after he slipped in the draft.

23. Sacramento Kings - Slava Kravstov (BC Kyiv)

With their second pick in the draft, the Kings take a center prospect who they can store overseas.

24. Portland Trailblazers - Terrence Williams (Lousville, Senior)

The Blazers take Williams for the defense, as they need help on that side of the game.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Tyler Hansborough (North Carolina, Senior)

The Thunder go for some front court help in a proven winner.

26. Chicago Bulls - DeMarre Carroll (Missouri, Senior)

The Bulls draft Carroll to be a tough, defensive minded energy player to help bolster the Bulls’ weak defense.  Defending Lebron will be a priority going forward, and Carroll may have the tools to slow him down.  Carroll should be a natural fit for the Bulls’ fast paced offense as he is coming from Mike Anderson’s Missouri system, which has a rep as the fastest 40 minutes in basketball.

27. Memhis Grizzlies - Wayne Ellington (North Carolina, Junior)

Ellington could give the Grizzlies some three point shooting, providing a good kick out option for Rubio.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Vladimir Dasic (KK Buducnost Podgorica)

With their third pick in the draft, the Timberwolves take a small forward/power forward prospect that they may be able to store overseas.

29. Los Angeles Lakers - Marcus Thornton (LSU, Senior)

Thornton could step in right away to contribute to the Lakers, and provide them with some perimeter scoring.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Gene Lawal (Georgia Tech, Senior)

The Cavs need to get some youth on their frontline, as Ilgauskus, Wallace, and Smith are getting up there in age.