Jimmy Butler led the Chicago Bulls to a win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday afternoon, increasing their playoff chances.
The Chicago Bulls welcomed the Atlanta Hawks to the United Center on Saturday for an afternoon showdown. The Bulls are trying to stretch their season into the playoffs making each game more important as we are nearing the end of the 82-game schedule. Chicago had won four of their last six games making their playoff chances look alive as ever.
In a win, the insertion of Paul Zipser and Nikola Mirotic continued to make the Bulls starting lineup look as competent as it has all year. The two played especially well in the first half making differences on both ends of the floor.
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Chicago’s bench however, struggled in the victory. While Denzel Valentine hit some timely shots, they, Valentine along with Micheal Carter-Williams and Bobby Portis, all played a hand in keeping the Bulls from pulling away at any point in the contest. A lack of defensive impact was their main downfall.
With Zipser and Mirotic not playing as well offensively in the second half, it was up to Jimmy Butler to carry the Bulls home. And carry them he did. Butler exploded in the second half for 25 points and drew the foul that would lead to the game-winning free throws in the finals seconds.