More treatment, rest for Gooden
Drew Gooden shot baskets after Saturday's practice, at one point draining a jumper from the edge of the center circle.
But as far as playing again, no one is sure when that will happen. Gooden will likely sit out this week to rest a sore groin, but he vowed to play before the Bulls' seven-game West Coast trip is over.
"I'm going to get treatment and see a specialist, work with him for a couple days," Gooden said. "Hopefully soon, I will be back. Right now they're saying a lower abdominal strain and a groin pull. I did both at the same time."
Does Gooden's presence make a difference? The numbers say absolutely.
The Bulls are 15-16 in games Gooden has played and 3-10 when he does not. Tonight's trip to Minnesota will be the 14th game Gooden has missed this season, setting a new career-high.
T-Wolves are terrific: A favorite phrase of Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro recently has been, "there is no magic pill," to turn things around.
Then explain how Minnesota went directly from a 13-game losing streak to going 10-4 since Dec. 26? The Timberwolves have been on a roll, beating New Orleans 116-108 on Friday night by outscoring the Hornets 37-27 in the fourth quarter.
"We would have got blown away four, five weeks ago," guard Randy Foye said in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "Now, we're starting to believe. We're maturing. I feel as if we're even maturing overnight."
Foye and power forward Al Jefferson have been the stars of Minnesota's resurgence, but the T-Wolves are also getting strong play from forward Ryan Gomes, rookie center Kevin Love and former Sixer Rodney Carney.
Parker family weekend: WNBA star Candace Parker was at the United Center on Friday to watch her older brother, Anthony, help lead Toronto past the Bulls.
On Saturday, Parker's husband, Sacramento Kings forward Shelden Williams, played in Milwaukee. The couple are expecting a child in May, but Parker is still hoping to play for the Los Angeles Sparks at some point next season after giving birth.
"It's great," Anthony Parker said of the impending arrival. "It's a blessing for the family and I can't wait. My brother has one, so I'll be an uncle again. I get to give her all the loud toys that she gave me for my kids - drum sets and firetrucks and stuff like that."