Bulls Game No. 3: Jimmy Butler returns, hits winning free throws

On Wednesday of this past week, Chicago Bulls head coach announced that shooting guard Jimmy Butler would miss 2-4 weeks with a sprained left thumb. On Saturday night, Butler scored 24 points and hit two free throws to give the Bulls their second victory in three games.

Bulls fans got some rather bad news on Friday night before the big showdown against the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers:

Jimmy Butler, entering the final year of his rookie contract, declined an extension offer from the Bulls and plans on becoming a restricted free agent when the 2014-2015 season concludes.

"“It came down to me deciding that I want to bet on myself,” Butler told Yahoo Sports in a text message on Friday. “It was about me believing that I put the work in this summer to become a better player with the hope that my improvement will give the Bulls a better chance to win a championship.”-Jimmy Butler’s text messages to Yahoo Sports, Sports.Yahoo.com"

On Saturday night in Minnesota, Butler bet on himself and laid down a royal flush in a 106-105 Bulls victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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In his first game back, Butler played a game-high 39 minutes, scored a team-high 24 points and hit two free throws after being fouled by this year’s No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins with 00.2 left in the game and the Bulls trailing 105-104.

Butler didn’t miss a beat in his first game back since spraining his thumb in a preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 19th. Along with the two clutch free throws to win the game, Butler shot 11-for-15 from the free throw line in the win.

(The Bulls shot 40 free throws as a team, 31/40.)

Without Derrick Rose, who sprained his left ankle during Friday’s overtime loss to the Cavaliers, and Taj Gibson, who also sprained an ankle in the loss, Butler got some help in carrying the load with a bounce-back performance from Pau Gasol and a key performance from rookie Nikola Mirotic.

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Playing in his first extended action of the regular season, Mirotic played 28 minutes, scored 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting and pulled down eight rebounds. Mirotic and backup point guard Aaron Brooks hit five of the nine total three-pointers for the Bulls off the bench.

Thoughts + what’s next for the Bulls

Without your superstar point guard and your NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award front-runner, you squeak a win against a really young Western Conference squad on the road.

In the simplest terms, “It’s a win. It’ll do.”

Jimmy Butler playing 39 minutes is just absurd in his first game back, but like the man said, he’s “betting on himself”. That was a big-time showing from Butler, who’s proving that a big pay-day could be coming in the future.

Also, 28 minutes for Nikola Mirotic? That’s a big plus, even with the injuries being the reason why he played so much. Mirotic gives you rebounds and more floor spacing. If you’ve watched the Bulls offense since Thibodeau took over in 2010, you should understand that floor spacing is vital.

The Bulls (2-1) enjoy a couple days off before a Tuesday night return to the United Center against the Orlando Magic. Once again, another really young bunch that will play fast, but a winnable game for the Bulls. Tip-off between the Bulls and Magic is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT.

Next: Bulls Game No. 2: Derrick Rose tweaks ankle in overtime loss