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Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers: 3 Takeaways, Notes from Monday’s Win

By Michael Whitlow

Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) shoots over Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jimmy Butler, SG, Chicago Bulls
Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) and Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Brooks (00) go for a loose ball during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 90-85. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

4. A bonus takeaway (which is just an excuse to mention some related notes)

  • Former Bulls point guard Aaron Brooks was a huge reason that the Pacers were in line to steal one from the Bulls on Monday night. Brooks scored 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting, dished out seven assists and grabbed four rebounds. He had the pass that Wade stole to ice the game, but the Pacers aren’t in that spot without the former Bull.
  • In the battle of the superstars, neither one really looked sharp against the other. Paul George had just 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting with eight assists (four turnovers, too), while Jimmy Butler scored 16 points on 3-of-12 shooting with five assists.
  • Doug McDermott (shin) didn’t play in the win for the Bulls. Fred Hoiberg said McDermott’s injury is a “game-by-game” case for the Bulls moving forward. (The Bulls play on Wednesday against Brooklyn, Friday against Indiana again and Milwaukee on Saturday this week.)
  • Friday marks the final regular season meeting for the Bulls against the Pacers already. It could be a significant matchup, too.

Final thoughts:

The Bulls needed this one. Sure, beating a team in your division is always nice for tiebreaker purposes and what not, but the Bulls had lost nine of their last 12 games and were sitting two games under the .500 mark. A win was just what the doctor ordered for the Bulls.

This four-game week is huge for the Bulls, being that three of the four games are against the Central Division.

Plus, here are the next five opponents for the Bulls after this week: Charlotte, at Cleveland, Toronto, Oklahoma City, at Washington. That’s not an easy stretch of games at all.

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