Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics: Game outlook for final game before All-Star break
By Ben Rains
Jimmy Butler’s in the spotlight in more ways than one
With all of the trade rumors and speculation flying around, Butler has still been one of the NBA’s most consistent players. He ranks third in real plus-minus, behind only Draymond Green and Chris Paul at plus 6.41 – but really, he’s second since Paul has only played in 36 games.
Butler is coming off an odd game against the Raptors that saw him go 2-for-10 from the floor but still score 19 points. He managed to do this because Butler went 15-for-19 from the free-throw line. Tuesday was Butler’s eighth time going to the charity stripe at least 15 times, ranking him behind only Michael Jordan for a Bulls player in a single season. The All-Star guard also dished out 12 assists against Toronto.
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Butler will have to match up against a fellow Marquette University product, Jae Crowder. Crowder has the size and strength needed to guard Butler, but the matchup should favor the guy the Celtics would give up in a heartbeat, along with others, to trade for the Bulls’ All-Star starter.
The man who covers the latest ESPN The Magazine, along with Chance the Rapper, might have let fame go to his head. But what does that really mean when Butler is still the best player on his team, an Olympian, an All-Star Starter, and a team trying to challenge for a berth in the NBA Finals wants him badly?
Butler should attack Crowder, and without their best perimeter defender in Avery Bradley, the Bulls guard should be able to go at any Celtic unlucky enough to have to guard him.
Look for Butler to have a big game tonight against the Celtics.
Now, on to the front court.