The Oh-So-Rare Bad Butler
Jimmy Butler has one of his worst games of the season. From the very start he struggled shooting the ball.
Jimmy Butler was 1-for-8 shooting in that first half ... and the Bulls trail by 3.
— Pippen Ain't Easy (@BullsBeatBlog) April 22, 2017
You have to like that if you're in the home locker room.
1-of-8 isn’t what you need from your best player. He would finish 7-of-21 for only 14 points. He had zero assists, which is murder for the Bulls with Rondo out. Grant and MCW aren’t going to magically turn into competent distributors. Butler needed to be more assertive in getting other Bulls shots tonight and he just wasn’t doing that.
Butler had a game-worst net rating of -27. Net rating isn’t always the best stat to go off of but it was indicative of tonight’s results.
Final Notes
After getting thrashed on the boards in the first two games the Celtics really brought an improved effort in that area tonight. Chicago outrebounded them 52-37 but Chicago wasn’t getting as many second chance opportunities.
The role players showed up for Boston tonight. Crowder, Bradley, and Horford combined for 49 points. The combined for only 35 in Game 2. When other Celtics besides Thomas start scoring the Bulls defense gets stretched out.
The Bulls have a day before their next game against Boston on Sunday afternoon. They need to figure out a way to get their offense running smoothly while limiting Thomas. Bulls lead the series, 2-1.