CHICAGO – The Warriors aren’t any strangers to one in every of their gamers receiving loud cheers from what needs to be hostile crowds on the highway.
However as an alternative of Steph Curry, the standard suspect, it was beloved former Chicago Bull Jimmy Butler who loved a rousing ovation from the United Heart Crowd on Sunday night time. Butler performed the primary six seasons of his profession for the Bulls and made three All-Star groups.
He rewarded his still-supportive Chicago followers with 19 factors, eight rebounds and 6 assists in his first recreation again within the Windy Metropolis since since his Golden State debut on Feb. 8.
And identical to that night time, the Warriors got here away with a victory, this time an 123-91 triumph that gave them two wins in a row.
Taking part in towards a Bulls protection ranked close to the underside of the league in most defensive classes, the Warriors waltzed into open leap photographs and layups for a lot of the night time. The Warriors led by as many as 24 within the third quarter, though a 14-0 Bulls run on the finish of the interval reduce the deficit to simply 10.
Butler scored 5 fast factors — a layup and a staredown triple — to assist push the lead again to 16. He made one other fadeaway 3-pointer a couple of minutes later to provide the Warriors a 22-point lead with seven minutes remaining.
They scored 40 factors within the paint, made at the very least 20 3-pointers (22) for the third time this season and raced out to 16 factors in transition. Brandin Podziemski put in 19 off the bench, Quinten Put up scored 19 and made 5 3-pointers and De’Anthony Melton returned to the lineup and scored 12 whereas taking part in stellar protection.
Golden State improved to 13-12, and can now have 4 days off earlier than taking part in at house towards Minnesota.
Inexperienced, Horford, Curry replace
Steph Curry has missed the previous 5 video games, however he’s on observe to return for Friday’s house recreation towards Minnesota.
Hampered with a quad harm, he has remained within the Bay Space whereas therapeutic. The Warriors introduced on Sunday afternoon that Curry is “making good progress” and that he’s anticipated to apply on Wednesday.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr instructed media on Saturday that the staff may have two days off on Monday and Tuesday. So it was no shock that the staff determined to carry Horford (sciatica) and Inexperienced (foot) out for another day.
The Warriors won’t play one other recreation till Friday.
“Makes sense to give them four days before the next game. Let’s be safe,” Kerr mentioned.
Kuminga glued to bench
Twenty-four hours after beginning towards Cleveland and taking pictures 1 of 10, Jonathan Kuminga discovered himself relegated to the bench on the second night time of the again to again. He didn’t play a single second.
Kuminga has not performed effectively since getting back from lacking seven video games with a knee harm, taking pictures simply 12 of 40 and committing 12 turnovers. He was not on the pre-game harm report, and isn’t the primary time Kuminga has discovered himself exterior of the rotation regardless of being wholesome.
Kerr dropped Kuminga from the rotation late final season and into the playoffs. After signing a brand new $46 million extension within the offseason, Kuminga started the season as a starter. Nonetheless, after a poor run of kind, he was moved to the bench after 12 video games.
Spencer homecoming
Butler was not the one Warriors participant to take pleasure in a heat reception throughout their return to Chicagoland. Place to begin guard Pat Spencer was swamped with well-wishers within the Windy Metropolis.
The previous Northwestern basketball participant responded by placing on a present for the United Heart crowd. Coming off his first begin, the breakout third-year professional continued his stellar play by placing up 12 factors and 6 assists.
This got here on the heels of his 19-point, 7-assist exhibiting at Cleveland the night time earlier than. He has scored 52 complete factors during the last three video games, all performed with out Curry.
