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Bulls conclude unsuccessful trip at Warriors

Mar 15, 2013 - 2:43 PM (Sports Network) - The Chicago Bulls hope to salvage a game on this west-coast road trip Friday night when they visit the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.

The Bulls are 0-2 thus far in California with a 90-81 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday and an embarrassing, 42-point shellacking at the hands of the lowly Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

"I'm probably most disappointed in myself," said Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau after the most lopsided loss in his three seasons as coach. "My job is to have them ready. We can't come out like that. That's on me. I have to drive harder. I have to get the intensity up. And I will. Trust me on that."

The Kings won the first quarter 34-20, then took the second quarter 31-16. The Bulls were down 29 points at the half and in the final two periods, everyone was just going through the motions.

The Bulls shot 38 percent from the field and a staggering nine percent from long range, going 2-for-21. They committed 17 turnovers, which led to 23 Kings points.

Sacramento shot 54 percent from the field, 39 percent from the 3-point line and only had five turnovers.

After Friday's game, the Bulls go home for three straight.

There is still no timetable for a possible return of former MVP Derrick Rose. He has been medically cleared to play, but has stated he's not going to come back until he feels he's ready. Hamstring issues have apparently been the recent topic of discussion for Rose.

The Warriors have taken two in a row after losing two straight. Friday's game will conclude a season-long seven-game homestand where the Warriors are just 4-2.

Golden State clobbered the New York Knicks on Monday, 92-63, then took out the Detroit Pistons, 105-97, on Wednesday.

Steph Curry led the way for the Warriors with 31 points on 5-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc. David Lee had 20 points and 15 rebounds and Jarrett Jack, Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson all scored in double figures.

"Overall, very pleased with the way we got after it, the way we defended, the way we competed and executed on the offensive end. Unselfish basketball," said Warriors coach Mark Jackson.

The Warriors, who will once again wear their form-fitting short-sleeved jerseys on Friday, travel through the south after Friday's tilt. They visit the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets and San Antonio Spurs.

The Bulls defeated the Warriors, 103-87, in Chicago on Jan. 25. The Bulls have dropped three straight in Oakland and 11 of their last 13.