Game: Chicago Bulls (8-3) vs Golden State Warriors (13-0)
Time: 9:30 PM CT Friday, November 20th, 2015
Channel: ESPN
Location: Oracle Arena in Oakland, California
Last season, the Bulls were one of only two teams to knock off the Warriors at Oracle Arena, winning a close overtime battle. This year, the Chicago Bulls come into this game on a hot streak, winning four straight and five of their last six games.
However, that has been surpassed by the defending champion Warriors, who have started the season a outstanding 13-0, with superstar guard and 2014-15 MVP Stephen Curry leading the way with a ridiculous 34.2 PPG average on a 34.8 PER to go along with 5.2 three-pointers made a game on 45 percent shooting.
If the Bulls are going to pull of the road upset, Curry must be neutralized. Unfortunately, like common theme in recent years, the Chicago Bulls may possibly not have point guard Derrick Rose playing in this game, with Rose currently nursing a sprained left ankle. Last season in this particular game, Derrick Rose was the leader of the Bulls charge in their overtime victory, scoring 30 points and hitting the game winning shot with seven seconds remaining, so he probably will not even be able to repeat said performance due to injury.
However, the Bulls should hold some confidence knowing star shooting guard Jimmy Butler is still playing tonight. Jimmy Butler is coming off a excellent performance in which he scored 32 points in a win against the Phoenix Suns. For the Bulls to have a chance to win this game, he just might have to perform like that again.
Golden State is coming off a statement road win over the Los Angeles Clippers, winning 120-114. Curry was outstanding, scoring 40 points with 11 rebounds, while All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson contributed 25 points and forward Harrison Barnes scored 21 points.
One thing that must be noted despite his dominance, one team Stephen Curry has not played well against in recent memory is the Chicago Bulls. In fact, Curry has averaged only 17.4 PPG in his last five games against Chicago, while shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three in the process. For the Warriors to go 14-0, it would be desirable for Stephen Curry to break away from this slump.
Bold In Game Predictions:
Stephen Curry will not slump. Curry will not struggle and have an advantage scoring the ball against the Bulls' smaller guards, especially given the absence of Derrick Rose. Look for Curry to drop at least 30 points in this game.
Jimmy Butler and Klay Thompson will both put in 20 each. Both of these guards are coming off solid games. Look for them to be very competitive against each other.
Warriors win by eight. Chicago is certainly one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, but the Warriors are simply heads and shoulders above the league right now, and very well may be better than last seasons championship team.