Late burst lifts Bulls

Rodman kicks cameraman

MULTIMEDIA

Dennis Rodman attempts to explain his actions. (Courtesy: KSTP)
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Game flow

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves were playing tough. They led the Chicago Bulls 75-74 late in the third quarter.

But then a 33-10 run from the Bulls, sparked by Scottie Pippen's 17 points, proved that the Bulls are still the Bulls and the Timberwolves are, well, they're a lot better than they used to be. In the end, the Bulls won 112-102 -- and are now 16-0 lifetime against Minnesota.

Pippen finished with 29 points and Michael Jordan added 25 as he move into sole possesion of eighth place on the all-time scoring list ahead of Alex English.

Jason Caffey came off the bench for 20 points and Dennis Rodman, who kicked a cameraman in the groin in a third-quarter incident, grabbed 15 rebounds. The Bulls have won eight straight.

Jordan's 25,620 points moved him past English and on the heels of the NBA's active scoring leader, San Antonio's Dominique Wilkins, who led Jordan by 279 points entering play tonight.

Minnesota led 75-74 on a basket by Doug West with 1:04 left in the third but Pippen followed with a 3-pointer and a dunk as the Bulls took a 79-75 lead into the fourth. Pippen's two free throws, a free throw by Caffey and another 3-pointer from Pippen pushed Chicago's lead to 85-75.

Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury had 21 apiece for Minnesota, which fell to 11-6 at home.

Marbury outscored Jordan 14-13 in the first quarter, but the Bulls still led 31-25. Garnett had 10 in the second quarter, hitting three straight shots in one stretch against Rodman and Pippen. Caffey scored 11 in the quarter, including four in the final 1:39 as Chicago closed the half with a 6-0 run to take a 57-49 halftime lead.