Chicago Bulls: 3 matchups to watch vs Timberwolves

Chicago Bulls matchup to watch: Thaddeus Young vs Jaden McDaniels

We start with an incredibly interesting matchup that could be crucial in how the game plays out. While not as flashy or obviously important as the next two matchups we will get to, this could be the X factor in the game.

Veteran forward Thaddeus Young is one of the Bulls most important players in making a run of any sorts this season. He is coming off a bad game in the team’s loss to the Hawks and everyone is expecting him to play a lot better in this one.

That expectation would be there regardless of the opponent, though it becomes more vital when you add in who he is going to be matching up with. That would be Timberwolves rookie forward Jaden McDaniels.

McDaniels is a late first-round selection that has tools that have some in Minnesota pretty excited. Those tools are long-term projections more than anything, though.

That is why I expect Thaddeus Young to have himself a very strong game tonight. He is a savvy veteran who understands the game well and has a versatile skillset.

Seeing an inexperienced and raw prospect against him should be enough for him to understand he can be a key reason his team gets a win tonight. Simply from a mental standpoint he should be a huge asset in the game, which in no way is a knock on McDaniels.

The TImberwolves youngster has played 31.8 minutes per game over the last five and in that time is averaging 4.4 fouls per game. Young should not only take advantage of the matchup from an on-court perspective, but he should also limit the amount of time McDaniels can even be on the floor.

If/when Young gets the rookie in foul trouble it will create new but still exposable matchups for the Chicago Bulls.