CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bulls got to overtime with a superb defensive effort in the fourth quarter, but they could not stop Latrell Sprewell when it mattered most.
With the shot clock about to expire, Sprewell hit a fallaway jumper from the top of the key to snap a tie with 59 seconds remaining in overtime as the Minnesota Timberwolves posted a 92-89 victory over the Bulls.
Sprewell, who scored 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting, hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie it, 82-82, then came up with a steal on the Bulls' ensuing possession to force overtime.
"We've been on the other side of shots like that and it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth," Sprewell said. "To actually win one, that says a lot. We've had some tough losses, so this one feels good."
"We needed the shot, there was no hesitation," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders added. "We were down three down the stretch, so we were looking for him."
Jalen Rose scored 25 points for the Bulls but made just 1-of-2 free throws with 24 seconds to go in regulation, leaving the door open for Minnesota.
Chicago used a 12-4 spurt down the stretch to turn a 75-70 deficit into a three-point lead.
"I feel like I let the team down when I had the biggest free throws of the game," Rose said. "I was supposed to step up there and be a good free-throw shooter and knock them down."
Kevin Garnett chipped in 19 points and 17 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who posted their ninth straight win over the Bulls. Sam Cassell added 17 points for Minnesota, including four free throws late in overtime that made it 92-86.
"That was NBA-style basketball," Cassell said. "You've got to bring effort. Only the strong teams survive."
The game included a scary moment early in the fourth quarter when Bulls guard Jamal Crawford landed on his head with 9:50 left in the fourth quarter after a collision with former teammate Fred Hoiberg.
Crawford appeared to suffer a neck or back injury but was able to move before he was taken to Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center for observation.
While the Bulls did not update Crawford's condition, they got word in the locker room that he was not seriously injured.
"It was unfortunate to see him go down like that," Rose said. "It looks a lot worse than it was, and that's a good thing for us."
