Minnesota Timberwolves Team Report - December 12

(Basketball News) - The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a 99-88 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday at the United Center.

Minnesota wasted a strong performance by Kevin Garnett, who netted 16 and grabbed a season-high 21 boards. Sam Cassell added 17 and Eddie Griffin scored 14 for the Timberwolves, who had their brief two-game winning streak snapped.

Minnesota fought back from an 18-point halftime deficit, outscoring the Bulls by a 25-14 margin in the third quarter to narrow the gap to 73-66 entering the fourth.

The Timberwolves continued to chip away at the lead in the final stanza. Troy Hudson’s three pulled them within 75-74 with less than two minutes into the frame.

However, an Andres Nocioni jumper ignited a 12-2 spurt that was capped by Gordon’s jumper to make it 87-76 with under six minutes left in the game. The Bulls wouldn’t relinquish the lead from that point on en route to the 11-point win.

The Timberwolves return to action on Tuesday when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.