Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from undermanned loss

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Feb 8, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) attempts to dribble past Chicago Bulls forward Paul Zipser (16) in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Takeaway No. 2: Not that it would’ve mattered, but the lone guy to defend Kevin Durant wasn’t available for long

10 minutes.

That’s how long Paul Zipser played on Wednesday night.

It had nothing to do with Fred Hoiberg‘s rotations, but it did have to do with Zipser’s health. Zipser suffered some kind of ankle injury on Wednesday night and was ruled out for the night before halftime.

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The Bulls were already shorthanded with Butler’s heel still not feeling right and Wade being sick (which led him to stay at the team hotel), so losing Zipser didn’t help matters at all against the Warriors.

What did Durant do on Wednesday night with virtually no one that could front him (not that anyone can anyway)? Oh, just 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block.

I know what some might be thinking, too: What about Bobby Portis? Great question. He played six minutes late in the game when it was over (and to be honest, it was over when the teams took the floor) and somehow had a plus-minus of -14 in those six minutes. That’s impressive.

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