The Chicago Bulls’ veterans looked well-rested after two off days in the sun.
Lonzo Ball got the ball rolling (dribbling?) at the Chase Center on Thursday night, scoring or assisting on the Bulls’ first 8 points. He splashed a three, connected with Patrick Williams for the alley-oop jam, and nailed another 27-footer. Nikola Vucevic picked up where he left off, scoring the team’s next seven points with ease. The big man came into the night with the upper hand against an inexperienced Warriors frontcourt, and he used it to help the Bulls gain an early double-digit lead.
The Bulls would lead by as much as 14 points early in the first quarter against a Warriors team missing both Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga. However, the Golden State bench started to rise to the occasion. Led by some energetic minutes by Moses Moody, the fresh legs of the Warriors’ young second unit would help change the momentum. They made up for a 3-12 shooting performance from downtown in the opening frame with some decisive cuts to the rim and crisp ball movement.
The Bulls’ 14-point advantage quickly slipped to just a 33-30 lead entering the second quarter. From there, it was a whole new ball game. The Warriors would go on a 10-0 run, once again largely led by their frisky bench, to take a 48-44 lead. Zach LaVine then did what he does best. One of the most dependable scorers in the league this season, he would go on to score 14 points in the final 5:27 of the half. Golden State fired back with some three-point makes of their own during this stretch, essentially evening the playing field from long range after a tough first quarter. Nonetheless, LaVine’s scorcher would be enough to give the Bulls a slim 64-63 lead heading into the half.
The dude is a walking bucket. NAY … a running bucket!
The Chicago Bulls came into this game still leading the NBA in third-quarter scoring. But you wouldn’t have guessed that after watching the next 12 minutes unfold. While it was a particularly strong shooting frame from either team, the Bulls couldn’t buy a bucket. They would go on to shoot 25 percent in the quarter and go 0-9 from downtown. The Warriors only shot 39 percent from the field, but their six threes in the quarter helped build them a 94-80 lead.
Golden State’s bench stayed absurdly hot for the remainder of the game. They would go on to outscore the Bulls’ second unit a stunning 83-41. The Warriors’ bench drained 18 of the team’s 25 made threes, and five bench players finished in double figures!
On the one hand, yes, the Bulls’ defense deserves blame for letting this one get so out of hand. You can’t let a bunch of borderline G League guys decimate you from downtown. On the other hand, this was a special shooting night from a franchise that is known for doing precisely that. You kind of just have to tip your cap when Gui Santos and Quenton Post combine for ten threes.
The Bulls would face a 30-point deficit in the fourth quarter and eventually wave the white flag. Despite playing less than 24 hours prior, the Warriors claimed an easy 131-106 victory and moved back to .500.
Player Grades
Josh Giddey – A-
Stats: 16 PTS, 11 REB, 3 AST
Josh Giddey was the Bulls’ most active player on the floor tonight. He gave an excellent effort on the glass and tried to play aggressively in transition. The young guard set a good tone for the Bulls early on, but they just couldn’t keep it up.
Ayo Dosunmu – B
Stats: 13 PTS, 2 AST, 2 REB
Ayo Dosunmu drained a couple of his threes and gave the Warriors some trouble on the open floor, as he tends to do. But the Bulls could have used a lot more from him tonight offensively, especially against a Warriors team playing fast. Could his calf still be giving him issues? Billy Donovan only played him for 23 minutes despite the scoring woes.
Zach LaVine – C+
Stats: 24 PTS, 4 ASt, 3 REB
Zach LaVine tried to slow things down and stop the bleeding, shooting 9-12 from the free throw line. His second quarter was also pivotal to keeping the Bulls in the game. Alas, there was nothing he could do about the Warriors’ red-hot shooting.
Lonzo Ball – C
Stats: 9 PTS, 4 AST, 3 REB
Lonzo Ball earned the start for the injured Coby White. He got off to a hot start but struggled to impact the game in the same way as the night went on. At least he looks more than comfortable chucking up shots from three again (3-9).
Nikola Vucevic – C-
Stats: 9 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL
So maybe Nikola Vucevic doesn’t want to be traded to The Bay? The big man may have flunked his audition, registering his first game with fewer than 10 points since Nov. 17, 2024. I’m not quite sure how the big man only got nine shot attempts on a night like this. When the game started to get out of hand, the Bulls should have been trying to slow things down and feed him in the post.
Patrick Williams – D+
Stats: 7 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST
*yawn*
Box Score
Check out the full box score here.