Bulls vs. Timberwolves Preview: Ball Set to Return After Year-Long Absence, Randle to Make Timberwolves Debut

On October 17 at 8 PM, the NBA preseason continues with the Chicago Bulls hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Bulls lost DeMar DeRozan this summer and traded away Alex Caruso, while also attempting to trade Zach LaVine, though no one was interested. As a result, the Bulls’ roster strength has declined, making it difficult for them to remain competitive in the new season. They are likely to focus on rebuilding. In their first three preseason games, the Bulls have a 1-2 record. In their last game, they lost 107-111 to the Milwaukee Bucks on the road, suffering their second consecutive loss. Despite the absence of several key players, the new addition Jalen Green performed well, scoring 12 points and dishing out 5 assists on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc. He is expected to be a focal point for the team in the upcoming season.

In this matchup against the Timberwolves, another focal point is the potential return of guard Lonzo Ball. Ball has been out since tearing his left meniscus on January 16, 2022, undergoing three surgeries and missing over 1,000 days. According to reports, Ball plans to make his return in this game, and everything is moving in a positive direction. The Bulls signed him to a four-year, $85 million contract, but he has only played 35 games so far. The key will be whether he can stay healthy in the new season.

The Timberwolves made a significant trade in the final stages of the summer, sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. This move was primarily to reduce expenses and improve roster depth. While DiVincenzo is seen as a valuable addition who can support Anthony Edwards, Randle is also highly anticipated. In their first three preseason games, the Timberwolves have a 2-1 record. In their last game against the Knicks, they narrowly lost 110-115, with Edwards performing exceptionally well, hitting 8 three-pointers and scoring 31 points, showcasing his excellent form.

In this game, Randle will make his Timberwolves debut, marking the first time the full-strength Timberwolves lineup will be on display, which will be a major focus for fans and analysts. Last season, the Timberwolves had an outstanding performance, finishing third in the Western Conference and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. However, they have significantly altered their core lineup by trading Towns for Randle and DiVincenzo. The effectiveness of these changes will only be known at the end of the season. Randle’s debut will be closely watched to see how well he can build chemistry with Edwards.

This game has plenty of highlights. Ball is set to return after a two-and-a-half-year absence, and how he performs will be a key point of interest. On the Timberwolves’ side, the full-strength team will take the court, with the starters likely to play more minutes to better prepare for the regular season.

>>”>For more predictions and results of this game, click here>>>