Preview: The Derrick Rose-less Bulls are 3-2 and have lost two of their past three games -- both at home -- after Wednesday's 97-91 loss to Oklahoma City. Just like Wolves guard Ricky Rubio, Rose is out after having surgery to repair a torn ACL last spring. He won't be back until at least after the February All-Star Game, though, if he does indeed play this season. ...The two teams played twice in preseason with plenty of pieces missing, the Wolves winning 82-75 at home and the Bulls winning in Chicago 92-81.
Players to watch: Bulls F Luol Deng has stepped forth in Rose's absence and leads the team in scoring with an 18.0-ppg average after Wednesday's 27-point night. ... F/C Joakim Noah had double-doubles in two of the first three games, and came within a rebound against the Magic (20 points, nine rebounds) and within a point (nine points, 13 rebounds) against Oklahoma City of two more. ...The Bulls brought back G Kirk Hinrich last summer after two seasons away, but it hasn't much helped their perimeter shooting. They are 28th in the league in three-point shooting percentage at 28.1 percent.
Injuries: In addition to absent stars Rose, Rubio and Kevin Love, Wolves G J.J. Barea (mid-foot sprain) did not play Friday against Indiana and will not make the trip to Chicago for Saturday's game.
JERRY ZGODA
