Butler’s 40 in 2nd half top MJ’s record

When a Chicago Bull does something even the legendary Michael Jordan never did, it’s probably going to be one of those nights.

Jordan had 39 in the second half of a game against Milwaukee in 1989.

He put down 21 points in the third quarter alone on his way to 40 points in the second half to lead the Bulls to the victory.

NEW YORK – Arron Afflalo scored a season-high 37 points and made 12 straight shots as the New York Knicks barely trailed en route to a win over Atlanta.

Butler has filled the scoring void, averaging 30.6 per game in five games without Rose compared to 20.1 PPG in 27 games with Rose.

“We were just trying to be aggressive, at least try to get to the basket and get a call but we didn’t get”, DeRozan said after a 24-point night. “You don’t see individual efforts like this too often”, Scottie Pippen said in a tweet.

“It was just extremely frustrating to miss all those shots”, rookie Kristaps Porzingis said. His biggest shot occurred with 30 seconds remaining in the game which gave the team their first lead of the second half.

NY managed just eight points over the last 12 minutes for the lowest total in franchise history in the fourth. The Bulls are now 17-3 when outrebounding their opponent…. Regardless of who was getting how many points, Toronto simply has to be better defensively when games are on the line.

Fred Hoiberg, who played with Reggie Miller and against Jordan, said it was the best performance he has witnessed as Bulls coach.

Forward Luis Scola and point guard Kyle Lowry each scored 22 points and Lowry added 10 assists for the Raptors in front of a crowd of 19,800. “He was so mad, so mad when he got hit in the mouth (by the Raptors’ DeMarre Carroll in the second quarter)”. Gasol made one of two to give the Bulls a two-point lead with 23 seconds on the clock.

Zaza Pachulia registered 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Mavericks.

In ATS trends, the Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last five road games and 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games following a win, while the Raptors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against a team above. The Bulls have reached triple digits in six straight games and dominated at both ends in a 108-81 win over the New York Knicks on Friday that capped a flawless three-game homestand.

“It was an unbelievable performance by Jimmy”, Hoiberg said.

HEAT 106, MAVERICKS 82: In Miami, Hassan Whiteside had 25 points and 19 rebounds, Gerald Green added 19 points to lead Miami.

In other injury news, Kobe Bryant missed his second straight game with a sore right shoulder.