The Warriors stormed into the United Center and left with a convincing 125-94 win to keep pace with the record-setting ’95-96 Bulls, who were 40-3 at this point in the season.
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The Bulls behind Rose’s slashing play got off to a fast start, and fast is the operative word with the Warriors, who run the ball back at the defense and then seem to decide what they want to do.
The Warriors’ outstanding play the last two games has put to rest some concerns that surfaced after a 113-95 loss Saturday to the Detroit Pistons and revived talk about whether they can break the record for regular season wins set by the Michael Jordan-led 1995-1996 Bulls squad, which finished that season 72-10. During his 62 minutes in those two, he posted an absurd net rating of plus-55.8.
Even so, the Warriors obliterate the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference last time out, knocking off the Cleveland Cavaliers 132-98 in a game that was never close.
It’s the second and final regular-season meeting between Bulls (24-16) and Warriors. Though with that and themselves off to a poor shooting start, the Warriors still were within 12-11.
The Warriors will now travel to Chicago to face the Bulls in a game National Basketball Association oddsmakers favor the Warriors by 7 points.
Kukoc called the Warriors’ style of play “beautiful”, while Wennington called them “a great team” that plays “in a great system”. “We need him for sure, but we’re professionals”, guard Derrick Rose told reporters. “As a coaching staff, we are always trying to get our players to play at that level, and they were absolutely phenomenal”.
Leandro Barbosa tossed an underhanded lob from just inside the 3-point line to Andre Iguodala for a dunk that left Curry with his hands on his head in amazement. The Warriors had 20 assists on 26 first half baskets. The two stories of the quarter were Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. It was quite a show as the Warriors led 87-63 after three quarters.
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Steph Curry received the ball and quickly passed it to teammate Harrison Barnes, who promptly knocked down a jump shot following a slick pump fake.
