Dosunmu and Giddey lead the Bulls past the struggling Hornets 109-95

CHICAGO (AP) — Josh Giddey had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Chicago Bulls beat the struggling Charlotte Hornets 109-95 on Friday night.

Ayo Dosunmu scored 19 points as Chicago bounced back from two straight losses. Coby White added 18 points.

Giddey and Dosunmu each hit three 3-pointers for the Bulls, who led almost the entire way, sending the Hornets to their 13th loss in 16 games.

Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 21 points, and Mark Williams had 15. Miles Bridges added 14 points and nine rebounds after missing 10 games because of a bruised right knee.

Former Bull Taj Gibson got a standing ovation when he checked into the game with about a minute remaining.

Hornets: Though they're getting healthier after being hit hard by injuries, the Hornets can't get star guard LaMelo Ball back soon enough. The NBA's third-leading scorer missed his seventh straight game because of a strained left calf.

Bulls: The Bulls were aggressive, took control early and withstood several minor pushes on the way to a rather easy win.

Bulls guard Lonzo Ball had the crowd roaring late in the first half when he hustled to track down a loose ball near midcourt and connected with Zach LaVine for a thunderous alley-oop dunk.

After Miller hit a 13-footer for Charlotte, Dosunmu drove for a layup. Bridges got called for a technical after missing on a drive. LaVine hit the free throw to make it 59-42 with 18 seconds left but got called for a travel, leading to a floater for Miller at the halftime buzzer that cut the lead to 15.

The Bulls blocked a season-high 11 shots, with Jalen Smith matching a career best by rejecting five. He also had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Hornets host Philadelphia on Monday, while the Bulls visit Toronto that night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green, left, makes a basket around Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, left, makes a basket despite a block-attempt by Chicago Bulls center Adama Sanogo, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, right, guards against Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, left, guards Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, center left, grabs the jersey of Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, center right, who attempts to shoot during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-87 on Friday night.

Julius Randle added 21 points and Jaden McDaniels scored 18 for Minnesota, which won for the fifth time in six games. Rudy Gobert had a game-high 13 rebounds to go with 12 points.

The Timberwolves are 14-2 against the Lakers at home since the 2015-16 season, including four straight wins.

Anthony Davis led Los Angeles with 23 points and 11 rebounds, but the Lakers lost for the eighth time in 11 games. Austin Reaves scored 18 points in his first game back after missing five games with a left pelvic contusion, and Max Christie added 15.

Los Angeles had 21 turnovers.

LeBron James missed his second straight game for the Lakers with left foot soreness and was also was away from the team this week due to “personal reasons.” Coach JJ Redick said pregame he has no sense of when James will return.

Lakers: In its past 11 games, Los Angeles is averaging 103.3 points, while allowing its opponents to score an average of 113.7 points.

Timberwolves: Defense had been Minnesota’s forte during its recent success. Los Angeles shot just 38.4%, the third time in four games a Timberwolves foe failed to reach 40%. In Minnesota’s past five wins, no opponent has topped 92 points.

Mike Conley missed a 3-pointer for Minnesota and Rui Hachimura got the rebound for Los Angeles. However, he had the ball stolen by Randle who quickly fed McDaniels for a layup and an 89-82 lead with 2:03 left.

Averaging 37.5% from deep, Minnesota was just 9 for 32 (28.1%) from 3. The Lakers were 10 of 35 (28.6%) on long-range shooting.

The Lakers are home against the Grizzlies and the Timberwolves head to the Spurs on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis reacts after missing a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) run to gain possession of the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, top, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) works toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, right, talks with forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) works toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after making a basket and being fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)