The Chicago Bulls beat the Golden State Warriors for the first time since 2017
On January 15, 2023, the Golden State Warriors were as confident as they could be, walking into the United Center to face the Chicago Bulls. The last time the Warriors lost to the Bulls would be in the early months of 2017, so safe to say this contest has been one-sided for a very long time. There is no doubt that both teams have been riddled with injuries this season, but I think that ultimately made the game more interesting. The Chicago Bulls have also been a very hot and cold team this year, so someone would have to step up to beat the reigning champs. With Demar DeRozan being out with a quad injury, Nikola Vucevic gladly took matters into his own hands.
This game against the Warriors was mostly one-sided throughout the whole game. It got close at times, but the Bulls usually ended up on some sort of run to increase their lead. Ultimately the Chicago Bulls would defeat the Golden State Warriors 132 - 118. Some notable player stats from this game:
Chicago Bulls:
Nikola Vucevic: 43 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and four steals (tied career high in points, 25th double-double this season, five three-pointers made)
Zach Lavine: 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists
Alex Caruso: 12 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two steals
Golden State Warriors:
Klay Thompson: 26 points, four rebounds, and four assists (eight three-pointers made)
Stephen Curry: 20 points, ten rebounds, and four assists (eighth double-double this season)
Jordan Poole: 15 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals
Nikola Vucevic had himself an amazing game by tying his career high in points and earning himself his 25th double-double this season in only 44 games. Without this great effort by Vucevic, I doubt the Bulls would have walked away with a win in this one. I think the Chicago Bulls’ greatest improvement this season, compared to last, is their ability to beat the good teams.
Last season the Bulls were unable to pull away with many wins when playing the top-tier teams but played well against the bottom-tier teams. This season was basically a flip-flop. The Bulls haven’t struggled much this year against the good teams but have against the bad teams.
I think the most important thing is that they are finding a way to beat the good teams, especially with all of the injuries. If the Bulls do make the playoffs this year, all of this experience beating the good teams will only improve their chances of making it past the first round. Which is what they lacked last season in the playoffs. Experience.