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The Chicago Bulls will be the Warriors most challenging test of the season

By Nathan Beighle

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 03: DeMar DeRozan #11 and Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls speak during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on November 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 03: DeMar DeRozan #11 and Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls speak during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on November 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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On Friday night, the Golden State Warriors get another primetime game, the second a two-game slate on ESPN.

The first nationally televised game is Bucks at Celtics which may disappoint as All-Star guard Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Jaylen Brown are expected to miss the game. With a 10 p.m. ET, the Warriors will then take the court and face the Zach LaVine-led Chicago Bulls.

After knocking out several non-contending teams in a row, the Golden State Warriors will welcome the Chicago Bulls for their toughest test of the season.

This isn’t the Bulls of the past few years though.

This is a legitimate title contender. They have amassed numerous All-Star-caliber players including DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. On top of that, they’ve accumulated top-tier defenders, a feature of their roster that’s become vitally important to their success.

Alex Caruso, who wanted to stay with the Lakers, and Lonzo Ball who came from the Pelicans both signed with Chicago in free agency. They have been instrumental in creating one of the league’s best defensive backcourts.

That’s where Golden State may find themselves struggling. Caruso is leading the league in steals per game off the bench. That’s incredibly impressive and a testament who how feisty he’s been this season.

That said, the Warriors rank top five in offensive and defensive rating. They’ve the only team in the league to be in the top five in both. There are two teams to be in the top six in both though, the Warriors and Bulls.

Chicago ranks sixth in both categories.

The Bulls also have the top fourth-quarter scorer, DeRozan. He can get to his spots and knock down shots. With the Warriors potentially without Draymond Green who exited the game early on Wednesday, they will likely be pushed to the limits on both ends of the court.

While the potential absence of Green may discount a loss, the Bulls will surely be the most competitive and complete team Golden State has faced yet this season with only a couple of rosters more talented than Chicago.

Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark. Next

8-3 on the season, the Bulls sit atop the East with the Wizards, a statement no one would’ve guessed would be true 11 games into the season.

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