MINNEAPOLIS — Carlos Boozer played exactly 24 minutes — the entire first and third quarters — for the ninth straight game in Wednesday night’s 102-87 victory over the Timberwolves and 18th time in the last 25 games.
Boozer called the role reduction “challenging” but said he still sets a double-double as his goal. Boozer finished with six points and four rebounds against the Timberwolves.
“I’ve just adjusted,” he said. “I’m doing whatever I can to help my team in the minutes I’m out there. I’m being a team player. It’s all about winning. You make sacrifices for the betterment of the group. That’s what we’re all doing.
“Each night, there are different challenges depending on matchups and how often you touch the ball because that varies. But the intensity is always there. The passion is always there. Playing hard to win is always there. The numbers may vary, but the winning part is always there.”
Boozer reiterated he has tuned out talk of the Bulls likely using the amnesty provision on him this summer for salary-cap relief.
“I’m not worried about that,” he said. “I’m just focused on what’s in front of me. All that stuff will take care of itself in the summertime.”
Giving back: Chairman Jerry Colangelo said USA Basketball is in “serious discussions” with city and park district officials for multiple youth-oriented activities during his program’s three-day stint in Chicago Aug. 14-16.
“We want to make a difference in the city that we think needs a lift,” Colangelo said of his and coach Mike Krzyzewski’s shared hometown.
Layups: Sources said the Bulls will sign Mike James on Thursday and could sign Lou Amundson shortly thereafter, bringing the roster to 15 players. … Asked about his first NBA job in Minneapolis in 1989, Tom Thibodeau remembered play calls for leading scorer Tony Campbell.
