Bulls vs. Warriors Friday NBA injury report, spread, odds: Chicago begins life without Nikola Vucevic (COVID); Draymond Green questionable

The Chicago Bulls are off to an 8-3 start, their best in years, despite losing promising second-year forward Patrick Williams likely for the rest of the season after five games and with All-Star center Nikola Vucevic struggling from the field. Now, Chicago will begin life without Vucevic for at least 10 days after he tested positive for COVID. The Bulls start a very tough trip through the Western Conference on Friday at the NBA-best Warriors, who are listing Draymond Green as questionable but 5.5-point favorites.

Frankly, it's not all that surprising Vucevic tested positive. Why? The Bulls played the 76ers on Nov. 3 and 6 and Vucevic was the main defender on Sixers superstar center Joel Embiid. He tested positive for COVID on Monday. Vucevic will mist least 10 days due to health and safety protocols.

He's averaging a solid 13.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists but his shooting has dropped from 47.1 percent last year to 39.5 and his three-point shooting from 38.8 to 26.7. With DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball new to the starting lineup, there were bound to be some early adjustment issues.

The Bulls don't have much big man depth. Journeyman Tony Bradley could see the biggest uptick in minutes but is currently averaging just 10.0 minutes per night and didn't play at all in a few games. Coach Billy Donovan may opt to go small. Bettors may want to hammer Over opposing center rebound totals against the Bulls for a while.

Golden State enters at 10-1 and on a six-game winning streak – that lone loss was in overtime at home to Memphis on Oct. 28. Steph Curry is second in the league in scoring at 27.4 ppg and is a +300 favorite to repeat at scoring champion despite Kevin Durant (+350) leading at 29.5 ppg.

Green suffered a "nasty" contusion in Wednesday's win over Minnesota that forced him to leave in the third quarter. He's averaging 7.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists but per usual numbers don't tell the whole story as he's the key to Golden State's defense. The Dubs lead the NBA in defensive rating (99.2) and opponent field goal percentage (.420). In the last six games, the Warriors have allowed 98.2 points per game and 39.9 percent shooting from the field.

Green has not missed a game this year. Also questionable is reserve guard Damion Lee, who averages 11.9 points. He missed Wednesday's game.

The Warriors have won eight straight games vs. Chicago and six in a row in the Bay Area.

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