|
 "I'm just happy we won, to tell you the truth," Butler told
reporters. "I don't want to be compared to [Jordan] because you see
what he's done for this game. I'm just happy we got the win. Points
or no points, we're leaving here with the W." The Bulls left with
the W against the Bucks the last time these teams met in the first
round of the playoffs last spring, and they've won three straight
encounters in Chicago. Milwaukee had won a pair of road games before
it was crushed 123-98 by San Antonio at home on Monday. All five
starters scored in double figures for the Bucks - led by Khris
Middleton's 19 points - but the bench combined for 23 points and
eight of the team's 16 turnovers as interim coach Joe Prunty fell to
3-4 since taking over for Jason Kidd, who is recovering from hip
surgery.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), CSN Chicago
ABOUT THE BUCKS (14-22): It's been a rocky couple of games for
swingman O.J. Mayo, who followed up his wild ejection early in
Saturday's win at Minnesota with a woeful performance versus the
Spurs, finishing 0-of-4 from the field in a scoreless 24 minutes. On
the flip side was another solid effort for Michael Carter-Williams,
as the up-and-down point guard had 16 points, six assists and did
not commit a turnover for the first time since March 17, 2015.
Carter-Williams, who was bumped from the staring lineup earlier in
the season amid some poor play, has 39 assists against only seven
turnovers in a four-game stretch and has shot 50 percent or better
in eight of his last 12 contests.
[to top of second column] |
ABOUT THE BULLS (20-12): While Butler continues his best season as a
pro, fellow starting guard Derrick Rose is breathing a sigh of
relief after an MRI revealed no structural damage in his troublesome
right knee. Rose, who has missed three straight games, participated
in practice Monday and will be a game-time decision, coach Fred
Hoiberg told the media. Hoiberg also acknowledged that there is no
timetable for the return of center Joakim Noah, who has been
sidelined for six games with a left shoulder issue
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Butler also had one steal against Toronto to extend his streak of
consecutive games with at least one theft to 40.
2. Bucks C John Henson is 16-of-22 from the floor during his last
five games.
3. Rose averaged 19 points and a team-high 6.5 assists in the
six-game playoff series against Milwaukee.
PREDICTION: Bulls 106, Bucks 95
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