The Bulls won their third straight game last night - and their fifth in six games - beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-94. It was a close game throughout with the Bulls trailing by three at the half. But the team broke it open with an 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter to pull ahead for good. Kirk Hinrich led the team with 20 points and Derrick Rose followed with 19. Luol Deng also contributed with 18. Now 2 games over .500 at 28-26, the Bulls remain in second place in the division and sixth place overall in the Eastern Conference. If the playoffs started today, they'd find themselves in a first-round playoff rematch with the Boston Celtics. They hope to keep the winning streak rolling when they play host to the Philadelphia 76ers tonight (7 p.m., WGN). more ›

Bulls Thump T-Wolves more ›

The Chicago Bulls continued their hot preseason, completing a home-and-home sweep of the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 94-90 victory Friday night at the United Center. Tyrus Thomas, playing for the first time in four games, led all scorers with 22 points. Taj Gibson added 14 for the Bulls. Despite leading most of the game, the Bulls saw the T-Wolves notch the game at 87-87 with less than a minute to go. But the Bulls hit some key free throws in the waning seconds to push ahead for the win. Said Thomas of his return, "It was good to just come out and play, have some fun and to get the win." Things didn't go so well for the T-Wolves' Kevin Love, who's out for a while after breaking a bone in his non-shooting hand. The Bulls only have a pair of preseason games left; the first is next Monday at home against Orlando (7 p.m., CSN). more ›

The Blackhawks kept their hot start to the season going by winning their third game in a row and remaining unbeaten at home with last night's 4-3 victory over Edmonton. Patrick Sharp opened up the game with a goal in the first minute of play to give the 'Hawks an early lead. Edmonton answered less than two minutes later but Jack Skille would score as well to give Chicago a 2-1 edge. Kris Versteeg added a goal in the second period to give the 'Hawks a 3-1 edge, but it would take a Cam Barker power play goal late in the third to give the 'Hawks enough room to escape with the win in regulation. The Blackhawks sent a barrage of shots - 38 total - towards Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who just last year helped the 'Hawks to the Western Conference finals. Said the Bulin Wall after the game, "It was weird to be on the other side. They actually have become a pretty good team." Pretty good is right; at 4-1-1 in the young season, the 'Hawks sit alone atop the division. The team is on the road tonight in Nashville (7 p.m., CSN). more ›

The Miami Heat, led by the Shaquille O'Neal of old (30 points, 20 rebounds) overwhelmed the Bulls at the UC last night, winning 113-96. We began to appreciate just how well Tyson Chandler played defense against Shaq, before spraining his ankle -- he had another subpar night, playing just 18 minutes as foul trouble again plagued him. Nocioni, Gordon and Hinrich each contributed 20+ points of offense, once again, but it wasn't enough to keep... more ›

Before there was Wilt Chaimberlain, Bill Russell or Shaquille O'Neal there was George Mikan. The NBA's first dominant center and superstar, Mikan died last night at 80. Mikan was born and raised in Joliet, IL before enrolling at DePaul. He didn't play high school basketball, but legendary coach Ray Meyer -- then in his first year coaching -- took the 6'10" giant under his wing and taught him the game. He became so dominant at... more ›

While fans of the Lakers, Timberwolves, Pacers and Pistons are busy following their teams' march towards the NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls fans gear up for their seventh consecutive trip to the NBA Draft Lottery, held Wednesday night in Secaucus, New Jersey. more ›