Warriors Top Bulls Thanks To a Third Quarter Blowout – Winning 140-131

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is jubilant after hitting a three pointer in the closing minutes against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on Fri Jan 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Golden State Warriors (18-20) had an incredible win over the Chicago Bulls (18-22) 140-131. Golden State trailed at halftime 75-62 but came roaring back in the second half. They won the second half convincingly 77-56. Klay Thompson had a terrific game finishing with 30 points. Jonathan Kuminga had 24 points off the bench.

Game recap: The Warriors held a slim lead after the first quarter 33-30 but the Bulls came roaring back winning the second quarter 45-29. Chicago took a 75-62 lead going into the locker room at the half. Andrew Wiggins, who started in tonight’s game, and Jonathan Kuminga (off the bench) really saved the day for the Warriors in the first half. The Warriors would have been looking at a far greater deficit had it not been for Wiggins and Kuminga. 

The Warriors really got going in the third quarter winning it 48-20 and taking a 110-95 lead. It was a terrific turnaround scoring 48 points in the quarter while holding the Bulls to only 20 points. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson turned this game around in the second half. Golden State also did a great job protecting the ball in this game. They would eventually finish with only five turnovers .

The Bulls did pull to within six points in the fourth quarter but the Warriors held on losing the quarter to the Bulls 36-30 but winning the game 140-131. It was the third quarter that set the game up for the Golden State win.

It was a slow start for Curry and Thompson who missed ten of their first 11 shots. It all turned around in the second half. Thompson finished with the game high of 30 points with six rebounds. Curry also turned things around in the second half shooting for 27 points and five rebounds. Kuminga had 24 points off the bench.

The Bulls finished with some great stats. Demar Derozan had the game high with 39 points. Coby White and Zach Lavine both shot for 25 points and the Warriors had to fight hard to contain all three of these guys. 

Post game notes: Friday night the Golden State Warriors (18-20) took on the Chicago Bulls (18-22) at United Center. They came into this game after getting slammed by the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night 141-105 at Chase Center. The Bulls won an overtime game against the Houston Rockets 124-119 on Wednesday. The Warriors have been frustrated with their play over the past few games losing to the Pelicans and the Raptors and barely beating the Pistons last Friday night.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Warriors taking on the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow night at Fiserv Forum. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

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