Golden State Warriors fans will have their eyes on Nikola Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls when they visit San Francisco on Thursday night. The veteran big man has been rumored to be a potential fit for the Warriors, a team struggling with interior play.
Golden State Warriors
Recent Performance: After a strong 12-3 start, the Warriors have slipped significantly, losing 19 of their last 28 games and falling below .500, thus dropping out of the Western Conference playoff picture. In their most recent game, Golden State suffered a 123-117 road loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Starting center Kevon Looney played nine scoreless minutes, while second-year big man Trayce Jackson-Davis contributed 11 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
The Warriors’ big-man issues were highlighted when rookie Quinten Post, who has spent most of the season in the G League, was called upon with 2:15 remaining in a tied game. Post’s two fouls, including an illegal screen, resulted in Golden State being outscored 10-4 in the closing moments, squandering an earlier 18-point lead.
Shooting Strategy: With minimal production inside, the Warriors resorted to shooting from beyond the arc, attempting 48 3-pointers compared to 44 two-pointers against the Kings. This followed a 40-point loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday, where they attempted 53 threes. Coach Steve Kerr has stated he is comfortable with the team taking 50 or more 3-point shots per game.
Chicago Bulls
Key Player:
- Nikola Vucevic: Vucevic, known for his traditional low-post game, has scored in double figures in all but one game this season. He scored 40 points in a home loss to the Charlotte Hornets last Friday and averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in the Bulls’ first two games of their current three-game western road trip.
Recent Performance: The Bulls had a five-game losing streak before defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 112-99 on Monday. Zach LaVine, another player rumored in NBA trade talks, scored 35 points in the win.
Returning Player:
- Lonzo Ball: Ball, who has battled back from a career-threatening knee injury, made his second start of the season against the Clippers, contributing five points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 26 minutes. This game marks the second in Ball’s California homecoming, and he is expected to play against the Warriors for the first time since January 2022.
Historical Context:
One of Ball’s best career games came against the Warriors in May 2021 when he was with the New Orleans Pelicans, hitting seven 3-pointers and racking up 33 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
