As this road trip loomed on the schedule, not many gave the Chicago Bulls a chance of coming out with a winning record. But after their impressive performance against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, it's clear that this team is not one to be underestimated.
Led by Nikola Vucevic, who finished with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, the Bulls came away with a 125-122 win—their first in the Bay Area since Derrick Rose had 30 points in a 113-111 win in overtime back on January 27, 2015.
After the game, Vooch said the win was a morale-boosting one as they head to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers to conclude this harrowing road trip.
Kept it together
The Bulls could have called it a night at several points in the game. They trailed by as many as 13 points, and then, in the fourth, they saw their 10-point lead evaporate and, at one point, trailed by three. However, behind the leadership of DeMar DeRozan and Vooch, the Bulls kept their composure, hit some big shots down the stretch, and ultimately came out with the win.
“This is great for everyone’s confidence. We always talk about staying together and lifting each other up. With all the injuries and everything we’ve been through this year, I think it’s brought us closer together and built trust within one another. It shows. We play for one another and different guys are stepping up each game making big plays,” Vooch remarked.
Learned their lesson from the previous night
Chicago had just come off an emotional win over the Utah Jazz the night before, one that saw tempers flare near the end of the game. On Thursday, facing a Warriors team with feisty forward Draymond Green, the Bulls knew they needed to keep their emotions in check.
The team's composure paid off as they absorbed the Warriors punches in the third and kept the game close towards the end, where they knew they had the advantage owing to the presence of DeRozan—long considered the best crunchtime performer in the NBA.
“Emotionally, we kept collectively competing through the good and the bad,” coach Billy Donovan said.
Now, with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden waiting for the Bulls in Los Angeles, time will tell if the Bulls can close this road trip out on a victorious note.
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