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12/22/2024 05:12:25 pm

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NBA: Chicago Bulls Down New Orleans Pelicans on Jimmy Butler’s Return

jimmy butler

(Photo : Getty Images) Jimmy Butler had 28 points in leading the Chicago Bulls in victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

After recovering from an illness, Jimmy Butler makes his presence felt and put on an impressive 28-point game performance in his return to the Chicago Bulls as they got the better of the visiting New Orleans Pelicans with a 107-99 win on Saturday night at the United Center.

According to a published report of the ESPN, the Jerry Reinsdorf-owned basketball club desperately needed the 2015 NBA Most Improved Player back after losing their previous three matches while Butler struggled with the flu. The 27-year-old native of Houston, Texas, missed two games and was limited in their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.

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"We are obviously so much better with him on the floor," Bulls Head Coach Fred Hoiberg said after the game.

"You can only talk about a select few in this league that has that type of impact on the game that Jimmy does. Jimmy does everything for us out there," the 2012 Big 12 Coach of the Year winner continued.

Butler did not show any fatigue early on by dropping 19 points in the first 24 minutes of the contest as the Bulls led in double-figures, 55-45 at the half. He went on a 9-16 shooting from the two-point range and connected three of his four attempts from beyond the arc region while making 7-10 from the foul line.

Dwyane Wade contributed with 22 points, while starting forward Taj Gibson added with 15 markers and game-high 16 boards for the winning team, which also won the battle for rebounds with a 63-42 advantage.

Basing from the Eastern Conference team standings in the official website of the NBA, the Bulls improved to a better 20-21 win-loss record, winning five of their last 10 game assignments. Chicago currently ranks No. 9 in the East and has won 13 of the 21 matches played in their home court.

The Bulls will be visiting the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday with Wade taking a day off to have his scheduled rest.

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