Golden State @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 27, 2019 ) Chicago 90, Golden State 104

D'Angelo Russell's return did not do much to shock the Golden State Warriors' offense into form, and the team is in danger of going winless on a five-game road trip. The Warriors will try to salvage the finale of the trip when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

Golden State averaged 92.8 points over the first four games of the trip - losses at Miami, Orlando, Atlanta and Charlotte - and suffered a 106-91 setback at the Hornets on Wednesday despite getting 18 points from Russell (thumb) in his return from a nine-game absence. "We haven't been able to compete at a necessary level, which could be fatigue," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the latest loss. "Tonight, we had 11 guys, which is good. But we didn't have much continuity, much rhythm, so we just have to keep moving and going." Golden State's last victory was a 104-90 home win over the Bulls on Nov. 27, but Chicago comes into Friday's meeting with some momentum after winning its last two games. The back-to-back wins are the first of the season for the Bulls, who began a stretch with six of seven at home with a 106-99 win over Memphis on Wednesday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (4-19): Russell started and went 7-of-14 from the floor in 25 minutes and is working his way back into shape along with forward Kevon Looney, who scored seven points in 12 minutes off the bench Wednesday - his second game back after sitting out 20 with a neuropathic condition. Golden State is still missing All-Stars Stephen Curry (hand) and Klay Thompson (knee) and only rookie forward Eric Paschall (16 points) and guard Alec Burks (15) joined Russell in double figures on Wednesday. Former All-Star Draymond Green collected six assists and three steals against Charlotte but was held to five points - the third time in four games since returning from a heel injury that he scored in single digits.

ABOUT THE BULLS (8-14): Chicago guard Zach LaVine scored 36 points in the loss at Golden State and posted at least 25 in each of the last four contests. The 24-year-old, who averages 22.5 points, is a combined 14-of-26 from the floor over the last two games. "I don't put all this hard work in to just be a regular dude," LaVine told reporters. "I expect myself to do this and even more and whatever I have to do to contribute to winning, whether that's 10 points or 40, I'm going to go out and do the best I can. I'm in good place now and I'm going to try to stay in it."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Paschall is averaging 19.8 points over the last five games.

2. Bulls F Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) sat out the last three games and is day-to-day.

3. Golden State owns a five-game winning streak in the series.

PREDICTION: Bulls 109, Warriors 101