Jimmy Butler went nuts in the second half against the Raptors, dropping 40 points in the 24 minutes and once again sending the message that if it’s between Butler and Derrick Rose for Bulls team leader and MVP, the choice isn’t too tough. (Rose didn’t play: hamstring problem.)
The Bulls needed every Butler basket, too, edging out a thrilling 115-113 victory on the road. Butler shot 14-of-19 in the second half. Butler beat the Bulls’ single half scoring record of 39 points, held by a guy named Michael Jordan. But the accolade had something far more critical in common with Jordan’s work that the big numbers — the Bulls won and Butler’s scoring occurred within the team’s offensive strategy, not as a rogue freelance performer. Scottie Pippen was impressed, as you’ll see below. And he was around when MJ was doing his business (also below).
What a performance by @JimmyButler. You don’t see individual efforts like this too often.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 3, 2016
Back on 2/16/89, Michael Jordan set a then Bulls record for points in a half scoring 39 in second half vs. Bucks. https://t.co/HD1upTIyUT — NBA (@NBA) January 4, 2016
