Chicago Bulls: Top 10 wins from the 2016-17 season

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 25: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates with teammates after the Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on February 25, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 117-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 25: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates with teammates after the Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on February 25, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 117-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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Jimmy Butler, former Chicago Bulls wing.
CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 16: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls lays in a shot against the Boston Celtics at the United Center on February 16, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

No. 3: The Game With That One Foul vs. the Celtics

The Celtics were having an outstanding season at this point and the Bulls were not. This was looking like it could be a potential first round matchup in the playoffs, which means every meeting between the teams holds more meaning than just what that one game will show on the record.

The Bulls struggled with being efficient all night, shooting a poor 42.2 percent from the field and a miserable 24 percent from the 3-point line. But they made up for it with proficiency from the free-throw line and even a little defense.

The Bulls shot a perfect 22-of-22 from the line and clearly in a game with a one-point differential in the final score, each free throw mattered.

The Bulls defense also held key Boston role players Jae Crowder, Al Horford and Marcus Smart to only 19 points on 7-of-23 shooting from the field and 1-of-10 shooting from 3-point range.

Sure, the referees helped the Bulls out a little with the questionable foul call on Marcus Smart as time was expiring and the Bulls were down one, but the Bulls proved yet again they can hang with the Celtics and this was a preview of what was to come in the playoffs.