Butler scores 25 as Bulls beat Bucks 102-98
Jimmy Butler III scored 25 points (16 in the paint), and the Chicago Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks 102-98.
The Bulls never trailed and led by as many as 19.
The Bucks got within 87-86 on Miles Plumlee’s 13-foot jumper with 5:39 to play, but Butler answered with a driving dunk, and the Bucks got no closer than 91-89.
Butler’s 17-foot jumper with 51.9 seconds left made it 97-93, and Nikola Mirotic’s 2 free throws with 10.0 seconds left put it away at 102-96.
During clutch time, the Bulls outscored the Bucks 14-7. Butler (No. 7 in clutch wins added, 2015-16) scored 6 of the Bulls’ 14 on 3 for 3 shooting.
Butler and Pau Gasol set each other up for 7 baskets and 14 points.
For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a season-high 34 points (22 in the paint) and 9 assists, and Jabari Parker added 24 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bulls shot 52.7% from the field to the Bucks’ 47.1% and outscored them 42-22 off the bench.