WILL, BUT NO WAY
Butler’s first career triple-double not enough vs. Pistons
BUTLER’S TRIPLE-DOUBLE ISN’T ENOUGH AS BULLS FALL 2 GAMES BACK
Jimmy Butler seems to reach a different level when Derrick Rose is out. But on a night when he wasn’t getting much help, his will could only carry the Bulls so far.
Butler’s first triple-double — 28 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and a career-high 12 assists — gave the Bulls a chance to win a crucial game. But he was unable to get the benefit of the doubt on a block/ charge call in the last 20 seconds, and the Bulls fell short in a 94-90 loss Saturday night to the Detroit Pistons before 22,197 at the United Center.
“It’s just tough,” said Butler, who shot 10-for-25 from the field, including 1-for-7 from three-point range. “I feel like I could have done more — made more shots, played better defense. There’s always room for improvement. All I wanted to do is win — triple-double or no triple-double.’’
The loss dropped the Bulls (3838) two games behind the Indiana Pacers (40-36) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with six games left in the regular season.
“It’s tough to swallow,” a disconsolate Butler said. “We let this one slip away.”
After a tough start to the fourth quarter, Butler nearly ignited a fabulous comeback after the Bulls fell behind 90-83 with 40 seconds left. Butler made a three-point shot and two free throws after a Pistons turnover in the backcourt to cut Detroit’s lead to 90-88 with 38 seconds left.
On the next possession, Butler appeared to have established position and taken a charge on a drive by Pistons guard Reggie Jackson. But officials ruled his feet were in the restricted area, and Butler was called for a block. Jackson made two free throws to give the Pistons (41-36) a 92-88 lead with 20 seconds left.
“[The officials] said Jimmy’s heels were above the line, I guess,” coach Fred Hoiberg said. “It was not enough evidence to overturn the call.”
“I don’t know,” Butler said. “[The officials said] it wasn’t a charge. It was a block. Not too much you can say about it.”
Butler took a knee to the ribs on the play and took awhile to get up. Hoiberg said the Bulls will know more about his condition Sunday — when the Bulls play the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. But Butler did not seem concerned. “I’ll be all right,” he said. With Rose (sore elbow) and Taj Gibson (fractured ribs) out, the culprit was most of Butler’s supporting cast. Pau Gasol added 16 points on 7-for-19 shooting, and Aaron Brooks scored 14 points off the bench. But Nikola Mirotic scored six points on 2-for-7 shooting (2for-4 on three-pointers), Mike Dunleavy scored two points on 1-for-3 shooting and Doug McDermott scored four points on 1-for-5 shooting in 15½ minutes.
“When we don’t move the ball, it’s going to be tough to score a lot of points,” Dunleavy said.
This was the wrong game — “a game that’s probably as important as any all year,” Hoiberg said — for that to happen.
“But it’s kind of how we’ve been all year,” Dunleavy said. “Really our offense has probably let us down more than our defense. When we need to get the job done defensively, I’m pretty confident. Offensively, we’re just not there yet. It’s not a surprise. You’ve got to roll with it.”
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