Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors Game Outlook: Starless in Dub Nation
Jan 20, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) passes the ball around Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Wednesday night marks the first matchup of the season between the Chicago Bulls (26-26) and the Golden State Warriors (43-8).
The Chicago Bulls are coming into this game hot, accumulating three big wins in their last four games. The last one came on Monday night against a Sacramento Kings team who had upset the same Golden State Warriors just two nights prior.
The most intriguing part is that the Bulls have been able to have some success without the likes of star shooting guard Jimmy Butler, who has been sidelined with a heel injury. The biggest contributions have come in the form of Michael Carter-Williams, a point guard who was recently turned into a small forward, scoring 44 points over the last two games.
The Warriors, on the other hand, have the best record in the NBA and are coming off just there eighth loss of the entire season. In the seven times prior, they came out the next game and beat the opposing team by at least 10 points.
With a starting five like the one Dub Nation gets to string together every night, it’s easy to see why they are the best in the Western Conference.
Let’s take a look at the game.
Oct 6, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; (From R-L) Chicago Bulls Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, and Dwayne Wade watch from the bench during their game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 115-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Star-less vs. Star-studded
Everyone knows the two best players on the Chicago Bulls are Dwayne Wade and Jimmy Butler. Wade is obviously not up to his career numbers, but is still putting together star-type numbers at the age of 35. He is averaging 19.1 points, 3.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds a game for the Bulls. Those are major contributions to the team.
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Then there is Butler, who has separated himself from the pack this season as the team’s best player, averaging 24.6 points a night to go along with 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. These numbers are great, these players are great, but the only problem is they both could be out on Wednesday. Butler is out for a third straight game with a heel injury and Wade is struggling with a cold and is going to be a game-time decision.
The Warriors starting lineup I mentioned earlier is seemingly all in tact. The only person who could be missing from the fantastic four is Klay Thompson, who has taken the last few days to mourn the loss of his grandfather. He will more than likely be in the lineup come game time.
Regardless, a lineup containing All-Star starters Kevin Durant (25.8 ppg) and Stephen Curry (25.6 ppg) shouldn’t have a hard time against Jerian Grant (15.8 mpg) and Michael Carter-Williams (22 mpg), no matter good they have looked recently.
Feb 3, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) celebrates with forward Taj Gibson (22) after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
REBOUND, REBOUND, REBOUND
It is going to be nearly impossible for the Chicago Bulls to go into Oakland and beat this unbelievable Warriors team.
But is it? I mean crazier things have happened in basketball. In fact, they happen all the time. All you need is a few things to go perfectly.
First of all, the Bulls will need to do what is that they do best: rebound and defend. The defending part is extremely difficult when you have three of the best shooters of all-time all on the court at once wearing the same color uniform, so I decided to ignore that and focus more on the rebounding.
The Chicago Bulls can rebound as good as anyone, averaging 47 rebounds a game. The Warriors do just about everything else better, leading the NBA in the crucial category of points per game, scoring 118.2 of them a night.
If the Bulls want any chance tonight they need to rebound everything (offensively and defensively), shoot better from deep than they have any other game this season, and simply hope the entire Warriors starting five is having an off night from the floor.
Prediction
I don’t want to be a debbie downer on anyone but with the greatness of Golden State and injuries to Chicago, I think it is going to be a long night on the West Coast.
Warriors trounce the Butler-less Bulls, 121-97.
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