Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in a Win

Jimmy secures the win

When all else fails, the Bulls can depend on Jimmy Butler. Always.

And once again, with less than a minute to play, Butler took over and decided the game.

Next: Bulls vs. Grizzlies: Butler, McDermott lead way after sluggish start

Hoiberg and the Bulls decided to run the pick-and-roll with Jimmy handling the ball and Carter-Williams setting the screen for the last several possessions. Although Doug played well all night, he was stuck in the corner late. As a side note, it would be interesting to see him screening for Jimmy, giving them more flexibility.

Anyhoo, with 59 seconds to go, Butler received the pick from MCW at the top of the key going right. Tony Allen chased him over the screen, but Jimmy pulled up and stepped back at the free-throw line extended, and Allen was left sprawling. With enough room to fire from a spot he like getting to, Butler nailed the jumper to put the Bulls up 104-102.

Mike Conley Jr. came down for the Grizzlies and hit a jumper to tie the game back up at 104.

Once again, Butler started with the ball, this time high on the right wing. Carter-Williams set a screen for Jimmy to get to the middle of the floor. Conley, MCW’s defender, tried icing the pick, but Jimmy crossed over quickly, splitting the screen and finding himself in the open floor. Grizzlies center Marc Gasol stepped up to defend Jimmy’s jumper from the elbow with no luck. 106-104, Chicago.

Butler guarded Mike Conley on Memphis’ next trip down the floor. The Grizzlies tried setting a high screen for their point guard, but Jimmy fought around it, contested the deep 3 and forced the miss.

Two McDermott free throws later, and Chicago was up four with less than 10 seconds to go. Butler, now pressuring Conley in the backcourt, was screened by Zach Randolph so Gasol could pass the ball in. Butler dodged the pick, diving to the floor to snag the pass. I cursed at the TV.

The Bulls’ All-Star wing didn’t play his most complete game by any means. He had only scored seven points before the fourth quarter. With the game on the line, Jimmy got buckets and stops, something he’s done time and time again down the stretch in close games, which only makes it all the more impressive.

In the span of 60 seconds, Butler made back-to-back-to-back-to-back game-deciding plays. He’s something special.