March 15--The Bulls improved to 33-32 with their road victory over the Raptors. Here are three observations.
The plan for Jimmy Butler's playing time worked
Neither Butler nor coach Fred Hoiberg would confirm the way the Bulls used Butler in his first game back from his left knee injury is how every game will go. But it seemed to work.
Butler, who entered the game tied with the Rockets' James Harden for most minutes per game, played a six-minute segment in the first quarter, 9:38 over two second-quarter segments and then 6:15 in the third before playing the entire fourth quarter.
Butler admitted to being not in game shape afterward. That will come. But keeping Butler near 34 minutes and saving the majority of his time for crunch time -- if needed -- could be a way to increase the chances Butler doesn't miss any more time.
"I was gassed every time he took me out," Butler said. "But I liked the way it went for the subbing."
Doug McDermott owns the Raptors
That's 59 points in his last two meetings against Toronto, a 30-point game representing his career-high and Monday's 29 points falling one point shy. McDermott sank his first seven shots, including a four-point play, and finished 9-for-11 from the field.
McDermott logged over 36 minutes, which typically doesn't happen because the Bulls can't find a defensive matchup that works for him. Against the Raptors, they can.
"It's just a good matchup," McDermott said. "I'm able to defend against some of their guys."
The Bulls took care of the ball
After recent turnover issues, the Bulls committed just nine. That's their first single-digit turnover game since March 2 in Orlando.
The Bulls' margin of error is extremely small these days. Taking care of the ball is at a higher premium than usual.
"We have to value the possession," Hoiberg said.
