Warriors, Damion Lee nip Bulls, 129-128, for first win on Steph Curry's landmark night in Chicago
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Mon, 28 Dec 2020
December 27, 2020 (Sunday)
Chicago, Illinois:
The last play of the night was designed for Steph Curry. The scheme involved the three-edged dagger the Warriors were brandishing all night long.
Leading by two with 5 seconds left, the Bulls covered the dangerous Curry and forgot about Damion Lee.
After inbounding to Kevon Looney, who set up the dime, Lee fired from a foot beyond the center arc with 3 seconds left and sealed the Warriors' come-from-behind victory.
During practice the night before, Curry drained 105 straight three-pointers (for 5 minutes) but had difficulty converting during the game.
He struggled from long range but ignited for 13 points in the fourth quarter, thus helping his younger teammates, particularly his clutch brother-in-law Damion Lee, shine.
Curry fired a season-high 36 points (11 of 25 from the field) but only 5-of-15 from downtown.
Tonight, Steph Curry joined Reggie Miller and top shooter Ray Allen as one only three players to make 2,500 or more 3-pointers in NBA history.
Also, Curry made his 61st consecutive shot from the foul line breaking Rick Barry's all-time Warriors free throw record.
Of note, The NBA record for consecutive free throws made is 97 by Michael Williams (March 24, 1993 – Nov. 9, 1993) followed by Jose Calderon (87), Dirk Nowitzki (82) and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (81).
For his part, Damion Lee, the Drexel and later University of Louisville alumnus, dished out 12 points (4 of 7 FG) and was 4 of 5 from way downtown including the game winner.
Andrew Wiggins found his step and was effective with 19 points (6 of 15 FG), 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
Eric Paschall, following his sterling rookie year, stepped up with 15 points, 2 grabs and 2 assists after 19 minutes filling in for the missing Draymond Green (expected to return January 1).
Jordan Poole showed his development and contributed 10 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist while keeping up with the Bulls' secondary.
Golden State shot 40.7% (42-104 FG) and 38.3% beyond the arc (18 of 47 three-pointers), and made 18 points after forcing 24 Bulls turnovers.
The Warriors led by 4 points at the half but stumbled in the third quarter when the Bulls erupted and outscored the Dubs 41-33.
For three quarters, the Chicago Bulls outshot the Warriors, especially in the third.
With 3:58 left in the fourth quarter, Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr.’s shot upped the Bulls lead to nine points while pouring in 22 points along with forward Lauri Markkanen (23 points)who left late in the game gingerly walking to the dugout. Carter, Jr. had 23 points.
Guards Zach LaVine (33 points) and Coby White (20 points) capped the team total of 126 points on 51.2% shooting (44 for 86) and 41.5% downtown (17 for 41 three-pointers).
Curry returned in the fourth quarter making two acrobatic 3-pointers and also fished for fouls and trips to the free-throw line.
Golden State outpointed the Bulls 11-5 in the final 2 minutes of the competitive game.
Kevin Looney tied the game with a tip-in shot with 16.9 seconds left.
The Bulls guard Zach Lavine drained a short jumper to pull ahead by two with 5 seconds remaining.
Catch the recap and Damion Lee's game-winning shot on the following video brought to you by NBA TV and NBC Sports Chicago. (Photos and stats are courtesy of the NBA)
Warriors Update:
- Warriors finish their 4-game road trip against the Pistons in Detroit, Michigan on Tuesday, December 28.
- Marquess Chriss will be out for the season after fracturing his fibula from rolling his ankle during practice yesterday.
- Draymond Green stated he got his wind back and should return January 1 or 3 at home.
