The Warriors' 140-131 triumph over the Bulls on Friday was a much-needed win, thanks to Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. At halftime, the Warriors trailed the Bulls 75-62 after losing their previous two games due to another slow start.
However, Golden State took command in the third quarter, outscoring their Chicago rivals 48–36, and they never looked back. Curry scored 27 points, while Thompson had 30 along with 6 assists.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged that his team may have strayed spiritually and emotionally in their most recent two contests. Fans of ours could sense it. As I mentioned both nights, our lack of enthusiasm and competitive spirit was to blame for the first time we've been booed while I've been here.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs trashed the Charlotte Hornets 135-99, with youngster Victor Wembanyama contributing 26 points and 11 boards.
Including two alley-oop dunks and a one-handed jam in the second half, 20-year-old Frenchman Wembanyama struck on nine of fourteen attempts inside the first 20 minutes. After missing 20 games due to injury, Hornets guard LaMelo Ball returned with 28 points, five assists, and five steals in his return to action.
Fred VanVleet scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half as the Houston Rockets defeated the Detroit Pistons 112-110. The game took place in Detroit.
Since ending their record-equalling 28-game losing run last month against the Toronto Raptors, the Pistons have lost seven consecutive games.
Also, Nikola Jokic had a triple-double, his tenth of the season and the reason the reigning champion Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 125-113. The Serbian, a two-time NBA MVP, had a double-double with 27 points, 10 boards, and 14 assists.