Bulls vs. Timberwolves: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Chicago Bulls have been on a nice roll winning eight of their last nine games as they travel to Minnesota to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Derrick hasn't slowed much, if any, from his MVP pace from last year. His scoring is slightly down, but his assist totals are way up.

This has made the Bulls even more dangerous this year.

The T'Wolves young core has been exciting and moderately successful. Ricky Rubio looks to be as advertised, and Kevin Love is perhaps the best power forward in the NBA.

This should be an exciting game and a huge test for the young Wolves.

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

When: Tuesday, Jan 10, 7:00 EDT

Watch: NBA-TV, Fox Sports North

Live Stream: NBA.com through League Pass

Listen: ESPN 1000 - WMVP-AM - Chicago, KFAN-AM 1130 - Minnesota

Betting Line: Bulls minus-7 according to oddshark.com

Chicago Bulls Key Injuries

Richard Hamilton (sore groin)

C.J. Watson (dislocated elbow)

Minnesota Timberwolves Key Injuries

None

What's At Stake?

The Bulls are trying to become the second team win all three of their back-to-back-to-backs. The Thunder accomplished it last week. They will need to be nearly flawless to win the home-court advantage in the playoffs with the Heat playing so well.

The Wolves are looking for a win over one of the NBA's elite teams in their building. The road to respectability has to start with winning tough games at home.

What They're Saying

Joakim Noah hasn't been much of a scoring threat this season. He is averaging just 7.3 points and has scored a total of nine points combined in the last three games. 

Derrick Rose said this when asked about Noah's offensive struggles:

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"I really don't know," Rose said. "Usually Jo is the guy where he's huge in fast breaks. Pick-and-roll, hit him on the roll because he's usually the roll guy. But his attitude has been great. He's the one when we go into the huddle that tells us to keep going, don't let up. And he's all right."

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Noah seems to be clearing the way for Carlos Boozer to operate, which is the wise thing for the Bulls. Chicago needs Boozer's offensive output far more than they need Noah's.

Boozer's offensive ceiling is far higher than Noah's, and it effects him positively on the defensive end.

Minnesota has been battling themselves to find consistency. Despite another stellar performance from Kevin Love, the Wolves lost to Toronto at home in their last game. Head coach Rick Adelman confirmed this with this statement following the game:

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"We were way too inconsistent through the game and it cost us," said Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman."

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Bulls Player To Watch: Carlos Boozer

When Boozer and Kyle Korver play well, the Bulls are nearly unbeatable. Rose and Luol Deng are consistent, and the Bulls operate like a machine defensively almost every night.

The low-post and mid-range threat Boozer offers accompanied by Korver's long-range gunning makes the Bulls deadly.

Timberwolves Player To Watch: Ricky Rubio

Rubio has been everything scouts said he would be.

His vision is elite. He is even shooting near 60 percent from the arc. He will get the ultimate test tonight as he attempts to stay in front of the MVP.

As good as he has looked, expect to hear Stacey King utter, "Too Big, Too Fast, Too Strong, Too Good," as Rose blows past Rubio.

Key Matchup: Kevin Love vs. Carlos Boozer

Love is an animal on the glass and an effective outside shooter. Boozer has been hot, and Love is not the athletic style of power forward that usually gives Boozer problems. It will interesting to see who gets the best of this matchup.

Prediction: Bulls 106, Timberwolves 94

The Wolves will stay close, but the Bulls' defensive intensity and depth will be too much in the long run. Expect to see the Bulls pull away in the third quarter.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.