NBA Gameday: Bulls rule out Jimmy Butler against Warriors

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OAKLAND -- Three days after seeing one cherished streak come to an end, the Warriors on Wednesday night will be out to extend another.

Their streak of games without consecutive regular season losses sits at 137, an ongoing record, and they’d like to push it 138 when they face the Chicago Bulls at Oracle Arena.

Though the Warriors (43-8) own the best record in the NBA, they’re coming off an overtime loss at Sacramento on Saturday that snapped at 13 their consecutive win streak over the Kings.

The Bulls (26-26), who made a splash in the offseason by signing veteran guard and Chicago native Dwyane Wade, won at Sacramento on Monday. They have scored at least 112 points in each of the past four games, their longest such streak since January 1996.

BETTING LINE

Warriors by 17

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Klay Thompson vs. Dwayne Wade: With Jimmy Butler out, Chicago’s best chances lie mostly with Wade, whose own status was put in jeopardy with an illness. Wade is a step slower than in his prime but still has the ability to turn on the jets when needed. If Wade can’t go, look for Thompson to be defended by Michael Carter-Williams. That, too, is an intriguing matchup.

INJURY REPORT

Warriors: C Zaza Pachulia (R rotator cuff strain) and F/C David West (L thumb fracture) are listed as out.

Bulls: G Dywane Wade (upper respiratory illness) and F Cristiano Felicio (R calf strain) are listed as questionable. G/F Jimmy Butler (R heel contusion) is listed as out.

LAST 10

Warriors: 8-2. Bulls: 6-4.

SERIES HISTORY

This is the first meeting this season. The Warriors swept the two-game season series last season and have won four of the last six meetings. They have won 13 of the last 17 at home.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

WATCH THE TRIPLES: Though Chicago’s field-goal percentage defense is not particularly impressive, 3-pointers are hard to come by. They allow an average of 8.9 triples, ranking fifth in the league. Threes are, of course, the backbone of the Warriors offense.

PROTECT THE PAINT: The Bulls are the NBA’s worst 3-point shooting team and they know it, taking the fewest attempts. They rely mostly on midrange jumpers and getting into the paint, slashing to the hoop or for the occasional drive-and-kick. Defend the paint, and Chicago usually has a tough time scoring.

THE GLASS WARS: The Bulls lead the league in offensive rebounding (12.9 per game) and as a result rank second in second-chance points (15.5). Teams with this capability have hurt the Warriors, who have gotten better at keeping bangers off the offensive glass. They’ll need to be good in this game.

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