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 17, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts to hitting a three-point shot at the first-half buzzer against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts to hitting a three-point shot at the first-half buzzer against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

All About the Butler

Butler continues to dominate games for the Bulls. The 27-year-old wing is coming off Eastern Conference Player of the week honors, after putting up 40 points against the Lakers inside the always dark Staples Center.

In the loss to the Nuggets, Butler scored or assisted on seven of the Bulls first nine possessions. He looked to attack Danilo Gallinari early and often. Butler had back-to-back amazing plays in the second quarter. He caught a wonderful lob from Rondo. And then a play later, he tip-saved a long Rondo breakaway pass to Mirotic for an easy layup.

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/801257945199611904

Butler finished the night with 35 points, five assists and eight rebounds. He shot 11-22 from the floor, and 11-12 from the charity stripe. Butler finished the game with a + 18, the best of both teams by far. The next closest Bull was Gibson at +13. Rondo fished at +3, and Wade was a 0 for the evening.

He hit three clutch free throws after drawing a foul on Mudiay. Then he took a charge near half court that wasn’t called. And then he hit the game-tying 3-pointer.

And when the Bulls needed him one last time at the end of regulation, Hoiberg tried to call the play for him but the Nuggets sold-out on the two-time All Star.

Now to the most important matter of business: Can someone else on the Bulls step up and help Butler?

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