Ugh … another game already?
Broadcast Info
Golden State Warriors at Chicago Bulls at 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago
Chicago Bulls
Projected Starters:
1. Coby White
2. Zach LaVine
3. Patrick Williams
4. Lauri Markkanen
5. Wendell Carter Jr.
Injury Report: Thaddeus Young OUT (lower left leg infection)
Golden State Warriors
Projected Starters:
1. Steph Curry
2. Andrew Wiggins
3. Kelly Oubre Jr.
4. Eric Paschall
5. James Wiseman
Injury report: Marquese Chriss (leg) OUT, Draymond Green (foot) OUT
Note: Green finally practiced with the team before tonight’s contest, but the Warriors have ruled him out for the third-straight game. Chriss was ruled out for the season on Sunday due to a broken right leg.
What to Watch For
• Honestly, forget anything specifically, all I’m watching for tonight is whether or not this team can avoid a 20-point loss. The last two games were all kinds of dysfunctional and sloppy (combined 35 turnovers). The moment the team fell down by more than a couple of points, they panicked and dug themselves into a deeper and deeper hole. I doubt that less than 24 hours is enough time to flip an entire team’s mentality, but maybe some kind of switch has flipped inside the locker room. Ya never know.
• The Golden State Warriors are coming off two-straight blowout losses and a day of rest. Chances are Stephen Curry and Co. are starving for their first victory, and the Bulls’ defense has looked like the perfect unit to face when trying to get on the right track. Opposing starting guards have scored 42 points on average against this Bulls backcourt, so I’m not feeling too good about Chicago’s chances to control Chef Curry.
Young guys aren't going to develop if they're not competitive. Maybe that will change tonight, but GSW had a day off and will be motivated to get their first win. #Bulls
— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHBulls) December 27, 2020
• Can Wendell Carter Jr. break out of his slump? All things considered, the big man looked more aggressive last night, but that didn’t necessarily amount to anything special on the box score. Over the Bulls first two games, he has shot second-to-worst on the team, which is all kinds of concerning when we consider how heavily the new coaching staff wants him to be involved. If there is a night for him to put together a positive performance, this would be that night. The Warriors are depleted in their frontcourt, relying mostly on a rookie and a halfway decent back-up (Kevon Looney). Much like how the Bulls have made a clear effort to feed Markkanen earlier on to get him going, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them do the same with Carter Jr. tonight.
• Patrick Williams and James Wiseman have been two of the best rookies to start the season, and tonight they’ll go head-to-head. DUNK ON HIM PAT WILL!
Two of the top rookies of the 2020 class square off tonight.
A closer look at our @CoorsLight Matchup of the Game pic.twitter.com/q4JrOJcoSw
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) December 27, 2020