LOS ANGELES — Jimmy Butler knew what he had to do. He usually does these days.
"Coach," he told Fred Hoiberg before the Chicago Bulls faced the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, "I'm going for 40 tonight."
Butler kept his word, and then some. Less than 24 hours after scoring 22 points and chasing around J.J. Redick during a 102-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, he bullied his way to a season-high 40 points, with just one three-point try (which he missed), to propel the Bulls to a 118-110 win at Staples Center while Dwyane Wade rested.
"I just felt like that's what my team was going to need from me, to tell you the truth," Butler said. "To be aggressive, put the ball in the basket. With our second-leading scorer out, I know I have to pick up the pace a little bit."
Butler got to the free-throw line 14 times (making 12). He crashed the glass for seven rebounds. He dished out six assists. He even beat out a taller, younger and bulkier Julius Randle on a jump ball late in the game.
"I told him that was the best play he made all night," Hoiberg said.
Butler's stellar play has been but th ...
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Article written by Josh Martin
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