Tom Thibodeau’s return to the United Center looked like it might be a dud early, but it ended up being a nail-biting 99-94 win for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Bulls jumped on the Timberwolves early, building up a 16-point lead after the first quarter that expanded to 21 midway through the second.
That lead evaporated almost as quickly as Thibodeau’s scheduled moment for fan applause before the game. The Timberwolves chipped away at the deficit, taking their first lead of the game in the third quarter.
It was a back-and-forth game from that point on, but the Bulls’ ugly fourth quarter offense reared its head once again and the Timberwolves executed better down the stretch.