Chicago 108, Minnesota 91

Carlos Boozer had 24 points and 14 rebounds and Derrick Rose had 23 points and 10 assists to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 108-91 victory over the host Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Luol Deng and C.J. Watson added 13 points apiece for Chicago (54-20), which leads both Boston and Miami by 2 1/2 games in the race for top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Kevin Love had 16 points and nine rebounds in his return from a groin injury but couldn’t prevent Minnesota (17-58) from losing its eighth straight contest.

Rose had 18 points and seven assists in the first half as Chicago built a 57-44 halftime lead. The advantage reached 24 points late in the third quarter on Boozer’s dunk.

Anthony Randolph added 15 points and Anthony Tolliver scored 14 for Minnesota.

Rose made four of Chicago’s nine 3-point baskets as he continues his bid for MVP honors. The double-double was Boozer’s second in three games.

• Minnesota will play their next game at home against Miami. The Timberwolves have a W/L % of .235 after a win and .224 after a loss.
• Chicago will play their next game on the road against Detroit . The Bulls have a W/L % of .717 after a win and .762 after a loss.