Boylan refuses to single out Wallace

Before Wednesday's loss in Minnesota, coach Jim Boylan tackled a touchy subject -- the widespread criticism Ben Wallace receives for not living up to the $60 million free-agent contract he signed in 2006.

"It's a heavy load he has to carry," Boylan said. "When you make the kind of money he makes, that's the business of basketball. When you get a big contract, big responsibilities come along with it and when you don't meet other people's expectations of what you should be doing, then you're going to catch a lot of heat.

"The team has been struggling, so the first thing they look at is the coach and the second thing they look at is the player that's getting the most money."

Boylan was then asked if he feels the criticism of Wallace is unfair. The veteran center is averaging 8.7 rebounds and 4.5 points this season.

"I think there's enough blame to go all the way around," Boylan said. "I don't think it's just centered on one person. Sometimes it seems like Ben has a big target on his back and it's the contract. Again, that's the business of the NBA."

Wallace didn't have much to say when asked if he's felt any criticism from fans this season.

"Small thing to a giant," he said. "It's tough. We had high expectations coming into this season and we haven't lived up to them. We have no one to blame but ourselves."

Scoreboard gets rest: How bad an offensive display was the Bulls-Timberwolves contest Wednesday?

The Bulls' 67 points were the fewest they've scored in nearly four years, since a 98-65 loss at Detroit on March 10, 2004.

At one point in the first quarter, the two teams were a combined 2-for-26 from the field. The Bulls led 5-2 at the time, thanks to 3 free throws.

The Bulls also missed their first 10 shots from 3-point range before Thabo Sefolosha finally broke the ice with 3:29 left in the third quarter.

Minnesota tied a season low for points in the first quarter with 15 against the Bulls on Tuesday, then came back with 8 first-quarter points in Wednesday's rematch.

The score at halftime was a yawn-inducing 34-33 in favor of the Bulls. But the Timberwolves outscored the frigid visitors 50-33 in the second half.

Hoiberg changes role: Former Bulls guard Fred Hoiberg has an important job. He's a scouting college and European prospects for the Timberwolves, who appear headed for a top-four pick in the next NBA draft.

Hoiberg, 33, is 2½ years removed from heart surgery that forced him to retire as a player. He said he'll need another surgery to replace a heart valve within the next five years.

"I am enjoying the transition," he said. "It was tough for me. The hardest thing about walking away from the game was I wasn't ready for it to end yet. It happens to everybody. Their careers at some point come to an end and mine happened at pretty much the height of my career.

"But I was very fortunate to be offered this position. I really like getting out and watching the college kids, just to see the passion and the energy they play with and try to find pieces that will fit in with this group."