Bulls Game No. 25: Jimmy Butler’s career night boosts Bulls over Knicks
97. 27. 103. 24. Final
With every jumper he drained and every passing lane he jumped on Thursday night, Chicago Bulls fans found themselves yelling the same thing at their televisions all night long: “PAY JIMMY BUTLER!”
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Although Thursday night was a national television broadcast, I’m sure Comcast SportsNet Chicago color commentator Stacey King was sitting home yelling, “Jimmy G. Buckets! The “G” stands for Gets! Jimmy Jordan! Wooooooo!”
Why the predicted outburst of excitement from King?
Because Jimmy Butler had a night he won’t forget for a long time.
Butler scored a career-high 35 points on 11-of-21 shooting to go along with seven assists, five rebounds and four steals in the six-point victory for the Bulls.
There wasn’t a situation that didn’t call for a big Jimmy Butler play on Thursday, as he also drained four of his seven three-point attempts.
"“I just want to win. I don’t care if I score two points or 50. The win is all that’s ever mattered to me on every level that I’ve played at,” said Butler, whose two previous career-high point totals this year came in losses. “I don’t want to be a star. I just want to be a decent role player on a really good team.”-Jimmy Butler on his role with the Bulls, CSNChicago.com"
Thursday night in Chicago was quite the intriguing situation for both the Bulls and the New York Knicks.
Both teams were facing some health issues, starting with Derrick Rose (illness), Doug McDermott (knee surgery), Joakim Noah (ankle) and Taj Gibson (ankle).
Rose, McDermott and Gibson all sat out on Thursday, while Noah would return to the lineup after missing the last four games for the Bulls.
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The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year scored just eight points on 1-of-8 shooting, but pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds in his return.
The Knicks almost had to make a trip to Rucker Park to pick up some depth due to injuries.
In his first visit to Chicago since shunning the Bulls during the free agency period this past summer, Carmelo Anthony sat out due to a sore left knee.
Iman Shumpert (dislocated shoulder) and J.R. Smith (left foot) would also sit out.
Although the Bulls trailed 74-73 after three quarters, Butler dazzled some more in the fourth quarter, by scoring seven of his 35 points in a 30-point stanza for the Bulls to close the Knicks out.
"“Just thank God for Jimmy Butler. You can’t say enough about him,” Thibodeau said. “What he does, big shots, plays defense, gets to the line, makes plays, plays unselfishly, plays hard, doesn’t take any possessions off. Just having a phenomenal year.”-Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau on Jimmy Butler, CSNChicago.com"
Thoughts + what’s next for the Bulls
In all seriousness, Butler’s performance was sensational on Thursday night. That kind of performance is why Butler didn’t sign the initial four-year extension on his rookie contract offered by the Bulls.
Butler is on his way to a nice pay raise in the offseason, whether it’s from the Bulls or not.
After missing the first two games of the season — one was against the Knicks on opening night — Butler has played in 23 straight games, while averaging 21.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game.
The Bulls (16-9) have a quick turnaround, as they travel to Memphis to face arguably the best team in the NBA right now: the Memphis Grizzlies. Friday’s game will be the first meeting between brother Pau and Marc Gasol, with Pau in a Bulls uniform.
Tip-off from “The Grindhouse” (also known as the FedEx Forum) is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT.
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Next: Bulls Game No. 24: Poor shooting ends Bulls winning streak in Atlanta