Bulls hang on for victory over T-Wolves

MINNEAPOLIS - An overcrowded backcourt is quickly becoming the least of the Bulls' problems.

While playing his best game of preseason, shooting guard Larry Hughes suffered a dislocated right shoulder in the third quarter of Wednesday's 85-75 victory at Minnesota.

There was no official timetable given for how long Hughes will be sidelined, but it figures to be several weeks. Coach Vinny Del Negro said following the game that Hughes will be "out for a while." The Bulls open the regular season on Tuesday against Milwaukee.

Ben Gordon has missed six of seven preseason games because of a jammed right big toe and did not play against the Timberwolves. Del Negro is hoping Gordon will be able to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Bucks.

Tyrus Thomas also sat out Wednesday's contest after hurting his right ankle the previous night against Dallas, though that injury is not expected to be serious.

The good news for the Bulls (3-4) is rookie point guard Derrick Rose remains healthy. After lighting up the Mavericks for 30 points and 7 assists, Rose finished with 17 points, 6 assists and 5 turnovers against Minnesota. Hughes was the Bulls' top scorer with 21 points, while Andres Nocioni added 12.

Just before the injury occurred, Hughes had the ball poked away by Minnesota's Mike Miller. Both players dove for the ball near the Timberwolves bench and Miller may have landed on Hughes' right arm as both players hit the ground. The 11th-year guard grimaced in obvious pain and was eventually led to the locker room with his right elbow tucked tightly alongside his body.

Hughes and Rose started at guard for the first time in preseason. With Thomas out, Aaron Gray started at center and Drew Gooden slid over to power forward. Gray led the Bulls with 10 rebounds.

Something about that starting lineup must have clicked because the Bulls raced to a 29-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. While Minnesota went scoreless for 6:38, the Bulls' advantaged peaked at 22 points early in the second.

The Timberwolves methodically trimmed the lead and got as close as 74-73 with 7:42 remaining, but the Bulls responded with 7 straight points, beginning with a Nocioni bank shot.

Al Jefferson and Rashad McCants scored 19 points each to lead the Timberwolves (5-2).