Warriors at Bulls
The Chicago Bulls rebounded from an embarrassing effort with their best defensive performance of the season last time out and will need more of the same when the two-time defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors visit Monday night. The Bulls surrendered 135 points in a loss at Charlotte Friday, but forced 22 turnovers and registered a season-best 14 steals in the 97-85 win at Atlanta one day later.
“We clamped down,” Chicago forward Jabari Parker told the Chicago Tribune. “We had a really good scout (report). We were prepared. We asked a lot of questions, especially from my end. So we were ready going in.” The Bulls have lost five of the last six against Golden State, including a 119-112 decision last season, and the Warriors come in after averaging 128.8 points during a four-game winning streak that included a 120-114 triumph at Brooklyn on Sunday. Stephen Curry continued his scorching start to the season with 35 points in Golden State’s latest victory and has scored at least 29 in all seven contests. Curry made seven 3-pointers Sunday - pushing his total to 46 on the season - and has at least five in seven consecutive games, breaking the NBA record of six straight with five that was set by George McCloud during the 1995-96 season.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), WGN (Chicago)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (6-1): Kevin Durant has also gotten off to a strong start alongside Curry and has been especially hot the last three games while averaging 35 points and shooting 66.1 percent from the field. Golden State has won six of seven despite Klay Thompson’s shooting slump as the normally lethal guard is just 5-for-36 from 3-point range and shooting 39.7 percent from the field overall after scoring 18 on Sunday. Versatile forward Draymond Green was held to eight points in the triumph at Brooklyn, but finished with season highs in assists (13) and steals (five).
ABOUT THE BULLS (2-4): Guard Zach LaVine is averaging a team-high 29.3 points and has led Chicago in scoring each game, including 27 to go along with 11 rebounds in Saturday’s victory. Rookie forward Wendell Carter Jr. posted his first career double-double Saturday with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes of work while guard Ryan Arcidiacono scored a career-high 13 points, dished out seven assists and had two steals in the win. “I know I’m not a proven player in this league,” Arcidiacono told reporters. “But I know I can shoot it. So I’m going to shoot it with confidence.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Golden State G Shaun Livingston (foot) missed Sunday’s contest and is questionable for the matchup with the Bulls.
2. Chicago F Chandler Hutchison got his first two NBA starts over the weekend with F Bobby Portis (knee) out, grabbing 11 rebounds in 46 minutes.
3. Warriors F Alfonzo McKinnie, a Chicago native, is 11-for-16 from the field during the four-game winning streak.