Warriors beat Bulls for 14th straight road win
CHICAGO (AP) Klay Thompson scored 38 points, Stephen Curry added 30 and the Golden State Warriors beat the Chicago Bulls 119-112 on Wednesday night for their franchise record-tying 14th straight road win.
Kevin Durant had 19 points as Golden State moved into a tie for the third-longest road winning streak in a season in NBA history. The Los Angeles Lakers hold the record with 16 straight road wins during the 1971-72 season.
Next up for the NBA-leading Warriors is a trip to Houston for a showdown with the Rockets on Saturday night.
Nikola Mirotic scored 24 points for Chicago, which dropped to 14-8 since its 3-20 start. Robin Lopez scored 12 of his 16 points in the first half, and Kris Dunn also had 16.
The Warriors played without Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala due to injuries, and Jordan Bell sprained his left ankle when he challenged Lopez's dunk on the Bulls' first possession. Bell stayed down for a while and then was helped to his feet. He tried to put pressure on his leg and grimaced before he opted for a wheelchair ride off the court.
The 23-year-old Bell was selected by the Bulls in the second round of the June draft and then dealt to the Warriors for financial considerations. X-rays were negative, but he will have an MRI on Thursday.
Thompson and Curry led the way as Golden State outscored Chicago 32-12 in the third quarter to open a 95-78 lead. Curry made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 9:23 left in the period, sparking a 19-0 run for the Warriors.
The Bulls made a late charge, closing to 112-107 on Dunn's fast-break dunk with 2:55 left. Dunn landed awkwardly on the play and his face slammed into the floor. He was helped to his feet and went back to the locker room.
The NBA champion Warriors responded with Thompson's driving layup and a three-point play for Durant. Thompson also made two foul shots with 17.4 seconds left to help Golden State secure the win.
TIP-INS
Warriors: Green is dealing with right shoulder soreness, and Iguodala has a bruised left calf. ... F Omri Casspi played for the first time in a week after being sidelined by lower back soreness. Casspi was available for Golden State's win at Cleveland, but coach Steve Kerr held him out. ''I wasn't comfortable playing him yet, because he hadn't really played enough with that bad back,'' Kerr said. ''I'm a little sensitive to bad backs. I wanted him to get a good workout (on Tuesday).''
Bulls: G Zach LaVine had five points on 2-for-12 shooting in his third game of the season after recovering from left knee surgery. He has been on a minutes restriction, but the plan is to re-evaluate the situation at this point for possible extended action. ... Coach Fred Hoiberg had lunch with Kerr after he got the job with Chicago. ''I think the world of Steve,'' said Hoiberg, who is in his third season with the Bulls. ''He's been great to me since I've been in the league.'' ... The Bulls lost 143-94 at Golden State in their first meeting of the season on Nov. 24.
UP NEXT
Warriors: Split their first two games this season against the Rockets, losing 122-121 at home on Oct. 17 and winning 124-114 at Houston on Jan. 4.
Bulls: Open a three-game trip Saturday at Atlanta. They also visit New Orleans and Philadelphia next week.
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Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap
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