Butler's record-breaking second half lifts Chicago Bulls
Breaking one of Michael Jordan's franchise records always qualifies as a good day at the office.
Jimmy Butler scored 40 of his 42 points in the second half, leading the Bulls to an improbable 115-113 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at the Air Canada Centre.
He also scored 13 points in the final six minutes, when the Bulls rallied from a 12-point deficit. Butler's 3-pointer with 30.9 seconds left was the go-ahead basket and the Bulls hung on despite missing 3 of 6 free throws down the stretch.
Jordan's franchise record of 39 points in a half was set on Feb. 16, 1989, against the Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Stadium. Jordan finished with 50 points that night, including a game-winning jumper with one second left.
“Don't compare me to him,” Butler said in the locker room. “That's exactly what I said (when told of the record). I don't want to be compared to him, because then people are going to think I've got to do what he did. I'm trying. But we're nowhere near the same player.”
Butler may not have realized he had such a Jordanesque performance in him. Butler hit 15 of 23 shots and 10 of 11 free throws, with 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Butler's career high of 43 points was set a few weeks ago in the four-overtime loss to Detroit.
Butler had a rough first half, thanks in part to taking an elbow to the mouth from the Raptors' DeMarre Carroll.
Butler was contesting a fastbreak lay-in by Carroll when he got hit by the Toronto forward with his off arm. Butler went to the locker room and said later he needed one stitch to close a cut on his lip. The game was delayed for several minutes while Butler's blood was cleaned from the court.
“I mean, he didn't do it on purpose,” Butler said. “It messed my swag up, though, so I can't go on a date for a while. I was mad, but I was just aggressive. It had nothing to do with him punching me in the mouth.”
Teammate Taj Gibson offered a description of Butler's demeanor.
“He was so mad, so mad when he got hit in the mouth,” Gibson said. “You can tell, so much blood flowing everywhere, he was so mad. I've never seen him get that mad before.
“He's been in a rough game before, but especially getting his lip busted. He came back a man possessed.”
Butler returned to the court before the first half ended and seemed to be on a mission when the third quarter began. He scored 21 points in the third quarter and 19 in the fourth.
The Bulls' defense took a beating most of the day and they trailed by as many as 15 points in the third quarter. Luis Scola's 3-point basket put Toronto up 103-91 with six minutes left.
“I'm just happy we won, to tell you the truth,” Butler said. “I don't want to be compared to (Jordan) because you see what he's done for this game. I'm just happy we got the win. Points or no points, we're leaving here with the W.”
Derrick Rose missed his third straight game with a right-hamstring injury. Rose is planning to get an MRI exam on Monday and told reporters before the game he also is feeling some knee soreness. The former MVP missed almost two full seasons due to a pair of knee surgeries.
“I feel all right. I just overworked myself,” Rose said. “It's improving every day. I had a little bit of swelling. That's gone. I just have to figure out my schedule a little bit better. I'd rather have this problem of overworking myself than actually being out there in a game and something happening during the game and something serious.
“Three straight off-days I came in and I shot instead of sitting out and getting recovery and massages and all that. I chose to shoot. And it kind of fatigued me.”
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