Bulls 117, Bucks 106
CHICAGO -- Guard Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 32 points and had 10 assists in a 117-106 Chicago Bulls' win over the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on Tuesday.
Coming off a 42-point performance, which included 40 second-half points, against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, Butler continued to have the hot hand against the Bucks. He scored 12 points in first quarter and had 20 points by halftime. He shot 11 of 21 from the field and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line for the game.
The Bulls (21-12) extended their winning streak to a season-high five games. They were 20 of 20 from the free-throw line. They have scored 100-plus points in their last eight games.
The Bucks (14-23) struggled away from home all season and fell to 5-16 on the road. They are on a two-game losing streak after also losing at home to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.
The Bulls opened the game on a 10-0 run and never trailed. The Bucks pulled twice within one point. The final time occurred when they got within 90-89 with 53 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Bulls closed the quarter on a 5-0 run and outscored the Bucks 23-17 in the fourth quarter.
Bulls center Pau Gasol had 26 points on 10 of 14 shooting, 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who had missed the previous three games with right hamstring tendinitis, had 16 points on 8 of 17 shooting and six assists. Forward Taj Gibson (11 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks) and forward Nikola Mirotic (14 points) also contributed in the win.
Bucks guard Khris Middleton scored a team-high 26 points on 10 of 21 shooting. Guard Michael Carter-Williams (20 points, 12 assists), forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (18 points), center Greg Monroe (13 points, 12 rebounds) and forward Jabari Parker (11 points) contributed for Milwaukee.
The Bulls led by as many 13 points in the first quarter and held a 36-28 advantage after the opening quarter.
The Bucks fought back into the game during the second quarter and pulled within 42-41 at 8:20 of the second quarter. The Bulls stretched their lead to 67-61 by halftime. The Bulls shot 27 of 44 for a 61.4 percentage in the first half.
NOTES: Bucks F Jabari Parker, a Chicago native, played at the United Center for the first time in his pro career. He missed all five games, including playoff games, in Chicago last season and a preseason game this season due to a torn ACL in his left knee. ... Bucks G Jerryd Bayless was unavailable Tuesday after spraining his left ankle against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. ... Bulls C Joakim Noah missed his seventh consecutive game due to a left shoulder sprain. ... Chicago G Derrick Rose returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous three games with right hamstring tendinitis.