Bulls at Timberwolves
The Chicago Bulls aim for their first two-game winning streak - as well as their first road victory - since late January when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Following an eight-game losing streak, the Bulls have split their last four games, picking up a 109-107 win over visiting Dallas on Monday.
Rookie Coby White scored 19 points and Otto Porter Jr. added 18 in his first game since Nov. 6 as Chicago defeated its first team with a winning record since Dec. 14 despite playing without leading scorer Zach LaVine (quadriceps). "We have been there a lot with winning teams," guard Denzel Valentine, who chipped in 17 points, told reporters. "We've been right there. It actually feels good to come out here and beat a team like that." The Timberwolves have also split their last four following a long period of losing and pulled off an impressive 139-134 win at New Orleans on Tuesday. Malik Beasley led eight players in double figures with 28 points as Minnesota scored 48 points more than they did in a loss to Dallas two days earlier.
TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS Chicago, FS North
ABOUT THE BULLS (21-40): With LaVine out, Porter's solid return from a foot fracture was a welcome sight for Chicago, as the veteran forward was 7-of-11 from the floor and chipped in three assists in 17 minutes. "Outside shooting is his thing and we missed it a lot this season, so for him to be back is big for us," White told reporters of Porter, who hit 3-of-5 3-pointers. "Not only just him scoring and playing, he's also great defensively and he's a leader, he's a vet, so we missed that a lot." White is averaging 25.7 points in six games since the All-Star break.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (18-42): D'Angelo Russell chipped in 23 points and eight assists, rookie Naz Reid had a career-high 13 rebounds and James Johnson scored 19 in 21 minutes off the bench in the surprising win at New Orleans. "It was a major team win," coach Ryan Saunders told reporters. "The way guys battled, they withstood their runs. That team is playing really well. They've got a lot of talent that can come at you in waves. So I'm proud of what our group was able to do." Beasley has six games of 21 points or more in 10 since being traded to Minnesota at the deadline.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. LaVine told reporters Tuesday that he expects to be out for about a week.
2. Reid has 26 rebounds over his last two games after averaging 4.3 in February.
3. Chicago won the first meeting Jan. 22 at home, but it has lost four in a row at Minnesota.