Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets Takeaways: Jimmy Needs Backup

By Ben Rains

Feb 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) guards Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) guards Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) and forward Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Jerian Grant (2) react after a dunk by Wade against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) and forward Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Jerian Grant (2) react after a dunk by Wade against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

First Quarter Kings

The Bulls continued to score in bunches during the first quarter. They are currently sixth overall in the NBA averaging 28.1 first quarter points. The Bulls scored 35 against the Blazers. They cooled off in Utah, scoring only 25. Then they scored 33 against the Clippers, and then 31 against the Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back. In their loss to the Nuggets they scored 31, shooting 65 percent from the field.

Butler seemingly gets off to a hot start every night. And all five starters scored at least four points in the first. Rondo scored one of his signature fake the behind the back pass and finish with a layup. But the veteran point guard added to the difficulty finishing on the other side of the rim. The trend of teams daring Rondo to shoot continued in Denver. And he took the shots he needed to in order to keep them honest, even knocking down a corner 3-point shot.

Lopez continues to prove his worth on a nightly basis as he anchors the Bulls defensively. And the 7-footer looks more than capable to score when needed, which included knocking down a straight-away17-footer and a hook shot. Wade and Gibson both played well. And Mirotic added a customary 3-pointer for good measure near end of the first.

As the Bulls continue to shine during first quarters, it makes their awful transition into the second quarter, with the second unit even harder to stomach.

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