3 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls’ 119-111 road loss against the Golden State Warriors

The Bulls fought until the end but still lost 119-111 against the Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors took control of the game in the second quarter and dominated the Chicago Bulls in a 119-111 win.

Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 23 points and 11 rebounds, Zach LaVine finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, and DeMar DeRozan added 16 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds in the loss.

It was a close game in the first quarter, with the Bulls trailing by two points, but the Warriors outscored them 28-19 in the second quarter and sealed the victory despite a Bulls’ run late in the game.

The Bulls couldn’t contain Jordan Poole

In our preview for this game, we mentioned that Jordan Poole was the X-factor for the Warriors. Poole has struggled with his shot at times this season, but he was unstoppable against the Bulls, going off for 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field and 7-of-13 from three-point range in 23 minutes off the bench.

Poole carried the Warriors and was a difference-maker with his ability to create his own shot and get to the basket. Poole’s teammates kept finding the right opportunities for him, and he delivered one of his best games of the season. Stephen Curry had a slow start but still hit 4-of-8 three-pointers and finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Klay Thompson added 26 and 6 assists, but Poole was the catalyst in this game.

Three-point shooting determined the outcome

The Bulls’ three-point defense was non-existent, and a team like the Warriors will make you pay for this all night long. Golden State made 20-of-50 three-point attempts (40 percent), with some of the shots coming at crucial moments, erasing any hope Chicago had to stay in the game.

Poole and Curry were a combined 11-of-21 from distance (52.3%), while the Bulls hit 9-of-27 three-point attempts (33.3%). Patrick Williams came off the bench in this game as head coach Billy Donovan tried to shake things up, but he ended up with just 7 points in 19 minutes, and he was 1-of-4 from beyond the arc.

DeRozan and LaVine didn’t make an impact

The Bulls need a lot more from their two best players. DeRozan shot 4-of-15 from the field, and 8 of his 16 points came at the free-throw line.

LaVine had a decent shooting night, making 8-of-18 attempts, but he turned the ball over three times, and his 21 points are way below what the Bulls need from him to keep up with teams like the Warriors.

Nikola Vucevic’s performance was the only bright spot for the Bulls. Vucevic has drawn plenty of criticism this season, but he delivered a big game with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals, doing his best to keep the Bulls in the game until the end.