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Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Game Outlook

By Ben Rains

Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball past past Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) in the first quarter of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball past past Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) in the first quarter of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-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 /

Jimmy Buckets

“Mama, there goes that man,” as ESPN’s Marc Jackson would say.

Butler has done everything for the Bulls this season. He leads the team in minutes played and scoring. Butler also leads the team in steals per game. Many nights he seems like the only player doing much of anything for the Bulls.

Butler has proven to be the most outwardly passionate player on the team all season. The 27-year-old wing has carried this is team almost single-handedly. This team is now without question his team. He is coming off a pretty bad game by his current lofty standards. In the loss to the Lakers, Butler did score 22 points, including a late game tying 3-point shot.

But, he went 4-18 from the field, shot 1-for-6 from deep and committed four turnovers.

The Jordan Brand man rarely has back-to-back bad performances, and a nationally televised Friday night game against James and the defending champs is a great time to stamp his ascension into elite status.

James will likely guard Butler for a decent portion of the evening. The Butler vs. James matchup should produce some great moments. Butler will look to go at James because he feels no one in the league can guard him. He also seems to love embracing the challenge of guarding James.

The Bulls star currently sits behind only six players in PER. The top three are Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Butler will be looking to prove he belongs in this rarefied NBA air tonight.

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