Butler inspires Bulls as Warriors, Spurs win
Jimmy Butler starred for the Chicago Bulls as the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs won in the NBA.
Butler was the hero for the Bulls, hitting a buzzer-beater to lift them to a 101-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
The Warriors had it a little easier, beating the Toronto Raptors 121-111 as Kevin Durant impressed again.
Meanwhile, the Spurs were untroubled by the Phoenix Suns.
BRILLIANT BUTLER
Not only did Butler hit the game-winner, he finished with 40 points and 11 rebounds.
Dwyane Wade (16 points) and Robin Lopez (12) were the other Bulls players in double digits for points.
Brook Lopez had a team-high 33 points for the Nets.
WARRIORS TRIO LEAD WAY AGAIN
Durant’s double-double of 22 points and 17 rebounds, plus seven assists, helped the Warriors to their win.
Stephen Curry (28 points) and Klay Thompson (21) were also good contributors, while Draymond Green had 14 points and 10 assists.
The Raptors’ Kyle Lowry had a double-double of his own with 27 points and 11 assists.
SPURS CRUISE
The Spurs made it three straight wins with a 119-98 victory against the Suns.
LaMarcus Aldridge (27 points), Pau Gasol (16 points and 10 rebounds) and Tony Parker (20 points) were the stars.
THE BUTLER SHOW, CURRY BRILLIANCE
Sprains ankle. Comes back into game. Wins game – Jimmy Butler​ #NBAVotepic.twitter.com/fLuOQ7vee0
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 29, 2016
Steph knows it’s good! #DubNation pic.twitter.com/82vSefcaXC
— NBA (@NBA) December 29, 2016
CLIPPERS BEATEN
The Los Angeles Clippers suffered a fourth straight loss, going down to the New Orleans Pelicans 102-98.
John Wall (36 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists) helped the Washington Wizards past the Indiana Pacers 111-105 and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Orlando Magic 120-101.
The Atlanta Hawks overcame the New York Knicks 102-98 after overtime and the Milwaukee Bucks crushed the Detroit Pistons 119-94.
The Denver Nuggets edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-103 and the Portland Trail Blazers were 102-89 winners against the Sacramento Kings.
WESTBROOK, THUNDER RESUME
Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-12) will look for their sixth win in seven games against a slumping Memphis Grizzlies (20-14) squad fresh off a loss to the dismal Magic. Seeking his 15th triple-double of the season, Westbrook is averaging 36.5 points, 12.2 assists and 11.2 rebounds over his last six games.
