Butler serves Bulls well in Rose’s absence

With 40 points in the second half to lead the Bulls’ 115-113 comeback victory against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, Butler eclipsed Jordan’s record of 39, something that he didn’t even know until after the game.

Butler and Co. squandered a 17-point lead, but inspired by a 20-6 run late in the fourth quarter, the Bulls made it four wins in five games. Butler dominated the quarter with 21 points after being held to two points in the first half. The bleeding, however, could conveniently serve as a metaphor for the Bulls’ defense in the quarter as they allowed Toronto to shoot 59 percent en route to a 60-point half.

The Knicks jumped to an 11-2 advantage early in the first quarter and led most of the way in bouncing back from their franchise-worst fourth quarter in a loss at Chicago on Friday night. Bulls C Joakim Noah missed his fifth consecutive game because of a left shoulder sprain. The Bulls finally seem to be bringing things around in the last two contests, earning wins over Eastern Conference contenders Toronto and in while getting big contributions from the bench.

Pau Gasol added 17 points and eight rebounds as the Bulls won for the fourth time in five games while avenging a blowout loss at NY on December 19.

But after the Bulls 108-81 triumph over the Knicks on Friday, Portis was again a picture of promise after racking up impressive numbers (16 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists).

Not that it needs much explaining but here goes anyway: Butler was awesome today. The team finished the game shooting 45 percent from the field, 43 percent from three and 84 percent from the line.

“He’s taking on every challenge, guarding the best player, and then when we need a big shot, he connects”, Gibson said.

TORONTO – DeMar DeRozan had 23 points and Kyle Lowry added 18 points and 11 assists as the Toronto Raptors rallied to beat the Charlotte Hornets.

“I still think both of those guys are kind of in their preseason”, Blatt said. “But I just came out and was just aggressive after that”.

“We just didn’t play well”, Porzingis said. He was hurt during Saturday’s win over the Boston Celtics.

Meanwhile, the Bulls who recently had an issue involving new head coach Fred Hoiberg, are heading to the game riding a three-game winning streak.

NOTES: Bulls PG Derrick Rose (right hamstring tendinitis) missed his third straight game Sunday.

He was a game-time decision for the NY game, and the Bulls ultimately chose to play it safe.

CJ McCollum (25 points) guided the Portland Trail Blazers past the Denver Nuggets 112-106 and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 97-77. Will Sunday become a signature moment in a Bulls season that suddenly has an arrow pointing up?