Takeaway No. 3: (Just) Jimmy Butler wasn’t enough
The Bulls were very sloppy in the first half and managed to clean things up for the second.
The Bulls turned the ball over 13 times in the first half, but have just 3 giveaways in the second half midway through the 4th.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) April 8, 2017
Jimmy Butler was the main spark, keeping the Bulls offensive flame alive throughout the game. Efficient and decisive, Butler finished with 33 points on 12-of-22 shooting and hit five threes.
Butler continues to prove he’s the only reason this team is a relevant talking point in the playoff picture. The Nets had no answer for him, as he scored in a variety of ways. He even dazzled the crowd with a circus bank shot in the second half.
Butler helped keep the Bulls in front through the fourth quarter.
And then the Nets went on a run.
10-0 Nets run to take the lead.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) April 8, 2017
The Nets made it close in the end and Butler attempted to put his hero cape on and drag the Bulls past the finish line, but it wasn’t enough. Butler missed a game-winning 3-point attempt and the Bulls have put their playoff chances in jeopardy.
The Bulls now stand at 39-41 with two games remaining and the Miami Heat hot on their tail. Chicago can secure a playoff spot by winning their last two games.
Next: Bulls at Nets: Analysis of the Bulls' surprising loss to Brooklyn
The Bulls looked like a team that didn’t deserve to be in the playoffs tonight.
The defensive intensity took too long to kick in and it looks like Mirotic’s progress may be negatively impacted by Wade’s return.