RealGM

While the Bulls will be missing their star player on Friday, the Timberwolves will come into town lacking not one, but two of theirs.

News broke Wednesday of Kevin Love’s broken right hand, and he will miss 6-8 weeks of action. Tonight’s game at the United Center will be the first look fans can get at the Timberwolves rotation that will be playing together for the first month of the regular season without their cornerstone.

Last year, when Rubio and Love were absent, the team struggled. But this is a new year with an overhauled roster, and the team insists that there are players who care and will be looking to prove themselves during this Love-less period.

The Wolves have three more exhibitions before the regular season opener Nov. 2 against Sacramento, and that gives them a chance to see which combinations work well together in Love’s absence. That process begins tonight, and there is a possibility of seeing Derrick Williams and Dante Cunningham sharing time at the 4 against Chicago’s Carlos Boozer. Andrei Kirilenko could also shift to the 4, and Lou Amundson is an option that brings energy off the bench.

Chicago will be seeking revenge after Minnesota already defeated them this preseason (82-75) on October 13. This time, however, starters Rip Hamilton and Luol Deng are expected to play, and the Chicago starting rotation will be much tougher as a result.