Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves prediction: Short-handed Bulls fire threes into Minnesota's league-best defense
Chicago lives on volume from deep and plays on the second night of a back-to-back against a Wolves team that has stayed elite without Anthony Edwards.
Chicago Bulls covered the closing spread (Chicago Bulls +15.5). The game went under the closing total of 237.5.
| Spread | Minnesota Timberwolves -15.5 |
|---|---|
| Total (over/under) | 234.5 |
- Minnesota's top-ranked defense should squeeze a depleted Bulls team on a back-to-back; Chicago's path to staying close runs through pace and free throws.
- Chicago's three-point volume against Minnesota's perimeter defense: the Bulls shoot 30.1% from deep, and Wolves opponents shoot 31.5%.
- Wolves -14.5 with a 235.5 total, unchanged since our feed first saw the game; Minnesota is 11-1 against the spread.
Chicago's jumper hits a wall
Minnesota has won five straight without Anthony Edwards, leaning on the stingiest defense in the league. Chicago arrives tired and thin, a night after an overtime win that snapped an eight-game skid and cost it another starter to a hand injury.
The Bulls take threes like a modern offense and make them like the worst one. They take 46.6% of their shots from deep, 9th-most in the league, yet hit just 30.1%, last of 30. That's a bad profile to bring to Target Center. Opponents shoot 31.5% from three against Minnesota, the best mark in the NBA, and the Wolves allow 102.0 points per 100 possessions, also 1st.
The Wolves have held up without their star by pairing the league's best defense with efficient shooting of their own. If Chicago's misses pile up early, the long rebounds feed a Minnesota team that ranks among the league's better fast-break offenses.
Second night, short bench
Chicago's injury list keeps growing. Rookie Caleb Wilson, who was scoring 18.9 points a game, had surgery on a fractured right hand and is expected to miss four to six weeks. Jalen Smith left Friday's overtime win over Atlanta with a left hand injury and did not return; he is listed day-to-day. His loss would hurt, since he has been averaging 13.0 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Dailyn Swain (back) and Tobe Awaka (back) both sat Friday and are listed day-to-day, but their Saturday status had not been confirmed. The good news is Norman Powell, who returned from back spasms without a minutes limit and scored 33, nine of them in overtime.
Minnesota remains without Edwards, who had arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 29 with a return estimated around Dec. 21, and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles). Joan Beringer's status for his face injury is unsettled; he could play in a mask or sit. The Wolves come in on two days of rest.
Where Minnesota piles up points
Chicago's defense breaks down most at the rim. The Bulls allow 55.6 points in the paint per game, worst in the league, and Minnesota scores 52.3 there, 4th. Add the glass: the Wolves grab 31.4% of their own misses (3rd), while Chicago secures only 68.9% of opponents' misses on defense (27th). Without Smith, Rudy Gobert could feast on second chances.
The one place Chicago holds an edge is the foul line. Minnesota makes just 67.4% of its free throws, last in the league, and Gobert and Jonathan Kuminga both struggle there. Late-game hacking won't flip the result, but it could shape the margin.
Pace, the spread and the total
Minnesota is favored by 14.5 with the total at 235.5, and neither number has budged since our feed first logged the game. The Wolves have been almost automatic for bettors at 11-1 against the spread, covering in all five games of their winning streak.
Chicago has its own quiet trend: the Bulls covered their last three, including a five-point loss to San Antonio as 15.5-point underdogs. They play the fastest pace in the league, 107.5 possessions per game, and allow 127.7 points a night, also 30th. That speed is what keeps the total high. The question is whether tired legs on a back-to-back let Minnesota dictate a slower game.
Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves line movement and odds
| Book | Bulls ML | Timberwolves ML | Bulls spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | +675 | -1100 | +15.5 (-105) | o237.5 (-115) |
| BetRivers | +750 | -1430 | +16.5 (-114) | o236.5 (-114) |
| DraftKings | +690 | -1080 | +16.5 (-116) | o237.5 (-114) |
| ESPN BET | +700 | -1200 | +15.5 (-105) | o237.5 (-115) |
| Fanatics | +700 | -1100 | +16 (-110) | o238 (-110) |
| FanDuel | +730 | -1150 | +15.5 (-104) | o237.5 (-112) |
| Hard Rock Bet | +750 | -1300 | +15.5 (+100) | o237.5 (-110) |
| Caesars | +650 | -1000 | +16.5 (-105) | o238.5 (-115) |
Where the money is on Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves
On the Kalshi moneyline: Chicago Bulls: 48% of bets, 18% of the money; Minnesota Timberwolves: 52% of bets, 82% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: Minnesota Timberwolves -15.5: 65% of bets, 67% of the money; Chicago Bulls +15.5: 35% of bets, 33% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 234.5: 45% of bets, 65% of the money; Under 234.5: 55% of bets, 36% of the money.
Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves stats (this season)
| Stat | Chicago Bulls | Minnesota Timberwolves |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-9 | 9-3 |
| Offensive efficiency | 106.4 (26th of 30) | 114.9 (7th of 30) |
| Defensive efficiency | 118.9 (30th of 30) | 102.0 (1st of 30) |
| Net efficiency | -12.4 (29th of 30) | 12.9 (2nd of 30) |
| Pace | 107.5 (1st of 30) | 103.9 (5th of 30) |
| Effective FG% | 51.3% (27th of 30) | 56.2% (3rd of 30) |
| Opponent effective FG% | 55.6% (24th of 30) | 49.3% (1st of 30) |
| Turnover rate | 16.0% (21st of 30) | 15.4% (16th of 30) |
| Offensive rebound % | 27.3% (15th of 30) | 31.4% (3rd of 30) |
| 3-point % | 30.1% (30th of 30) | 38.0% (6th of 30) |
| Points in the paint per game | 49.1 (9th of 30) | 52.3 (4th of 30) |
Key players
- Norman Powell (Chicago Bulls): Powell leads the Bulls at 20.8 points per game this season and scored 33 in Friday's overtime win in his return from back spasms.
- Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls): Giddey is averaging 8.8 assists this season but is hitting just 31.0% of his threes.
- Jalen Smith (Chicago Bulls): Smith has been Chicago's most efficient starter with a 60.3% effective field goal percentage this season, but his left hand injury clouds his status.
- Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls): Buzelis is scoring 13.3 points per game this season and leads the regulars at the line at 84.1%.
- LaMelo Ball (Minnesota Timberwolves): Ball is averaging 18.6 points this season while hitting 40.2% on 107 three-point attempts.
- Ayo Dosunmu (Minnesota Timberwolves): Dosunmu is scoring 18.1 points per game this season and shooting 46.9% from three.
- Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota Timberwolves): McDaniels is averaging 16.9 points on 51.9% shooting in 33.2 minutes a night this season.
- Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves): Gobert is pulling down 11.5 rebounds per game this season, a key edge against Chicago's 27th-ranked defensive rebounding.
Numbers that matter
| Bulls 3-point % | 30.1% | Last of 30 teams, despite Chicago taking the 9th-highest share of its shots from deep. |
|---|---|---|
| Wolves defensive efficiency | 102.0 | Points allowed per 100 possessions, the best mark in the league. |
| Bulls paint points allowed | 55.6 | Worst in the NBA, facing a Minnesota offense that ranks 4th in paint scoring. |
| Wolves free throw % | 67.4% | Last in the league, a soft spot for a heavy favorite trying to close out a big margin. |
| Spread | -14.5 | Minnesota's line has not moved since our feed first recorded it. |
Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves: quick answers
What was the final score of Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves?
Chicago Bulls 117, Minnesota Timberwolves 106 (final). Chicago Bulls covered the closing spread (Chicago Bulls +15.5). The game went under the closing total of 237.5.
Who is favored in Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves?
Minnesota Timberwolves is favored by 15.5 points (Minnesota Timberwolves -15.5).
What is the over/under for Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves?
The total is 234.5 points.
When is Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves?
Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 8:10 PM ET.
Where is Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves played?
Target Center, Minneapolis.
Has the line moved for Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves?
Yes: Chicago Bulls opened +13.5 and is now +15.5, and the total moved from 236.5 to 237.5 (consensus of the regulated US sportsbooks since we first saw the game).
Where is the money on Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves?
On the Kalshi moneyline: Chicago Bulls: 48% of bets, 18% of the money; Minnesota Timberwolves: 52% of bets, 82% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: Minnesota Timberwolves -15.5: 65% of bets, 67% of the money; Chicago Bulls +15.5: 35% of bets, 33% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 234.5: 45% of bets, 65% of the money; Under 234.5: 55% of bets, 36% of the money.