Chicago Bulls

They just didn’t have enough with a Lakers’ double team on Butler, who had 40 points when the Bulls won in Los Angeles 10 days ago, a reserve group searching for an identity—and points We just didn’t play as well as we thought we were going to,” said Butler, who led the Bulls with 22 points, but shot four of 18. Dwyane Wade had 17 points, Taj Gibson 11 points and 10 rebounds and Robin Lopez 10 points, nine rebounds and a career high eight blocks. Without Lopez and with Gibson not coming back in—and earlier than usual—until two minutes into the second quarter, the Lakers had the deficit quickly down to five and then within 35-34 before Butler got back.

Veni; vidi; vici; And now with victory in hand, Jerian Grant likely returns triumphant to the Bulls with the highest scoring game in the short Windy City Bulls history after scoring 34 points in Saturday’s Windy City 121-110 win over the Delaware 87ers. We have a lot of guys up there (with the Bulls) who have the ball in their hands the majority of the game; for me to be in that second unit, or if I get a chance to be in that starting unit again, just wanted to show I can make plays like I did against Portland, against Utah.” Grant, the second year 6-4 guard from Notre Dame, made plenty of plays in likely his quick trip to play a game for the new Windy City Bulls. Windy City after a 17-point first quarter lead behind Grant’s 11 first quarter points rallied from trailing by four in the fourth quarter to pull away in the last three minutes of a spirited, fast paced game. Getting the opportunity on the trip and being ready and then going up against Damian Lillard, one of the top five, I’d say, point guards in the league, getting a win, playing well on offense and defense

We have a good opportunity to win every game; that’s what you want,” said Dwyane Wade, who tied Jimmy Butler for game high with 26 points, Wade with 17 in 13 second half minutes. The Bulls led 23-19 after one quarter, and then with a second quarter run of 17-4 banging it inside for free throws after the 76ers got into the penalty early, the Bulls led by 10 at halftime. On this six-game road trip, Butler elevated his game to average 28.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists along with 9.7 free throws per game. Wade got the rebound, threw to half court to Rondo, who threw to the lane to Gibson, who held a moment and passed to Butler flashing down the lane for a layup, the veteran Bulls constantly beating the young 76ers down court.

Jerian Grant and Cristiano Felicio will make their debuts in Hoffman Estates at the Sears Centre 7 p.m. Saturday and be joined from the Bulls roster by R. J. Hunter, who played for the Windy City Bulls earlier this month. With the way the NBA schedule broke, the team had off days and we felt like it was a good chance for these three guys to get some playing time,” said Bulls assistant general manager Brian Hagen, who is Windy City general manager. It’s an ideal chance for some of our young guys to buzz out and play a game in the suburbs with the D-league team and be back and not miss any time with the big club. It’s not only a good opportunity for the three players to enjoy competitive game conditions, but a chance for team management and fans to further examine the potential and possibilities with the young players.