GAME NIGHT FROM THE UNITED CENTER
Golden State (4-19, 2-12 on the road) at Bulls (8-14, 4-7 at home)
TV: NBCSC: Neil Funk and Stacey King 7PM.
RADIO: 670 The Score: Chuck Swirsky, Bill Wennington, David Schuster: 6:45 CT pre.
LEADING SCORERS: Bulls: LaVine: 22pts. Warriors: Russell: 23pts.
LEADING REBOUNDERS: Bulls: Carter: 9 per Warriors: Cauley-Stein: 6 per
LEADING ASSISTS: Bulls: Satoransky: 5 per. Warriors: Russell: 6 per.
LAST MEETING: Golden State 104, Bulls 90.
PREVIEW: The Bulls look to extended their mini win streak to three games as they host the Golden State Warriors, a team that beat the Bulls in San Francisco ten days ago.
Zach LaVine continues to take his game to the next level scoring at least 25 points in each of his last four games against Western Conference opponents. He is playing as well as I have ever seen him. He has become the Bulls impact star and is enjoying the big stage. According to S.T.A.T.- Alytics, LaVine is shooting 39% on "pull up three-pointers" this season. This is the fourth highest in the NBA among the 20 players who have attempted at least 60 pull up three-point field goals. Only Devonte Graham (41%) Damian Lillard (40.9%) and Kemba Walker (39.5%) have higher percentages.
Wendell Carter Jr. just does his job without much fanfare. He shows up and gets it done whether it is points in the paint, rebounding, or blocking shots. He leads the Bulls in double-doubles with 12.
Tomas Satoransky dished out eight assists against the Grizzlies; his eighth straight game with at least five assists.
The Warriors welcomed back two veterans from the inactive list in D'Angelo Russell and Kevon Looney. The Warriors are finishing off a dismal five-game road trip where they are winless but having already lost to Golden State, I can guarantee the Bulls will not allow slippage tonight.
Golden State's ownership, management, and coaching staff are learning quite a bit about its young roster which will help formulate a plan for 2020-21 and beyond. Second-round pick Eric Paschall is a keeper. I like his ability to play outside-in and is a fierce, physical competitor.
I'm expecting the Bulls to jump on Golden State early and set the tone for the rest of the game.
24 SECONDS NBA NEWS AND NOTES:
Denver 129, New York 92: The Nuggets simply embarrassed the 4-18 Knicks at MSG. Denver led by 43 points in the fourth quarter.
Washington 119, Philadelphia 113: Rui Hachimura: 27 points and seven rebounds. PS...CCI loves Gonzaga players. Solid D by the Wizards forcing 21 Philly turnovers.
Houston 119, Toronto 109 Ben McLemore nailed eight-three point field goals and Russell Westbrook added a triple-double handing the Raps their second straight home loss.
Phoenix 139, New Orleans 132 OT: Devin Booker scored 44 points. The Pels dropped to 6-16.
Thanks for reading CCI. Reach out: cswirsky@bulls.com or Twitter @ctsbulls
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