Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
SAN FRANCISCO — The Chicago Bulls improved to 3-0 on their four-game road trip following Thursday’s 125-122 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
“Emotionally, we continued to compete as a team, through good times and bad,” coach Billy Donovan said.
Here are 10 observations:
—Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan each scored 33 points, with Vucevic adding 11 rebounds and hitting two huge free throws with 6.1 seconds remaining. DeRozan, who added eight assists, sank a ridiculous three-point play in which he faked Jonathan Kuminga in the air and launched an off-balance line drive for a two-point lead with 26 seconds left that the Bulls didn’t have. never abandoned.
“It’s great for everyone’s confidence,” Vucevic said. “We always talk about staying together and supporting each other. With all the injuries and everything we’ve been through this year, I think it’s brought us closer and built more trust in each other. This shows. We play for each other and different guys step up every game by making big plays.
“We know this is the only way we can be a good team.”
—The Bulls ended an eight-game road losing streak in this series, winning for the first time since Derrick Rose scored 30 points in a 113-111 overtime victory on January 27, 2015 .
—The Warriors played their league-leading 38th clutch play, while the Bulls played their 37th, who is tied for second with the Atlanta Hawks. The Bulls lead the NBA in kills with 22.
—Both teams completed back-to-back game streaks, although the Warriors didn’t have to travel. The Bulls cooled down the red-hot Warriors, who blew out the Bucks at home on Wednesday and had won 14 of 18 entries.
—The Bulls dominated the Warriors at 3 points, which is no small feat. Vucevic and DeRozan each sank three of the Bulls’ 16 3-pointers, five more than the Warriors. Steph Curry had a quiet night with just five points in the first half and 15 total on 5-of-18 shooting before leaving late with a rolled ankle.
—The Warriors now start Draymond Green at center, and his matchup with Vucevic proved entertaining. Vucevic scored multiple times against the smaller Green, as the Warriors fell to 30-2 in regular season games in which Green had a triple-double. Green also fouled out late.
“What was good for us was we really focused on the next play and channeled our emotions competitively,” Donovan said. “The game got very physical on the offensive end. I thought as the game went into the fourth period we started rebounding better.”
—Torrey Craig returned after missing the first seven games after the All-Star break due to a knee injury he suffered during the break.
“Just a normal workout and I slipped.” My foot went under me,” Craig said. “Freaky accident.”
Before the game, coach Billy Donovan said Craig would be on a strict minutes limit of 12 to 16 minutes with short runs to limit his consecutive minutes. Craig finished with two assists and a rebound in 14 minutes, missing his only shot.
This is the second freak injury Craig has suffered this season. Previously, he missed 22 games with a plantar fascia sprain, an injury he said he had never had before.
“It really sucks because I pride myself on not missing games and in some ways you feel like you’re letting your brothers down,” Craig said. “We know we have to do a better job of rebounding, especially on the defensive end. I hope I can help you.
—DeRozan channeled his inner Kobe Bryant in the first half, switching to his left hand and dropping in on a 17-foot runner while being fouled. DeRozan also scored on a four-point play as he scored 18 points in the first half.
Vucevic and Coby White scored the Bulls’ first 18 points before Onuralp Bitim scored a 3-pointer.
—Dalen Terry returned after missing Wednesday’s game for personal reasons. Terry previously trailed Julian Phillips and Bitim in the rotation and did not play against the Warriors. With Craig back, Phillips served as 10th man with only a few spot-on minutes. But Phillips continued his strong play, knocking down his first attempt on a 3-point basket without hesitation, then drawing an offensive foul on Draymond Green on the other end.
—Tipoff came and went without further league discipline for Bulls assistant coach Chris Fleming, who was called a technical foul Wednesday in Utah when he and Jazz forward John Collins exchanged shoves.
“I talked to our front office a little bit about it. I contacted someone in the league and discussed it. It was an unfortunate situation. I didn’t understand all the camera angles on the situation. But Chris was trying to defuse the situation and that ultimately made it worse,” Donovan said. “I think it’s a lesson for us from the standpoint that we just have to worry about controlling our bench and our guys. I think it was a good learning experience. I don’t think Chris’ intentions were ever physical. Rather, they aimed to keep everyone separated. It’s unfortunate that what he was trying to do turned into something he was trying to prevent. »
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