Nov. 26--The summary
Jimmy Butler's 32 points weren't enough to make up for the absence of Joakim Noah (left eye abrasion and left knee) for the whole game and Derrick Rose (left hamstring tightness) for the entire second half of the Nuggets 114-109 victory Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets extended their winning streak over the Bulls in Denver to eight games as Ty Lawson led six teammates in double figures with 20 points.
Turning point
The Nuggets outhustled the Bulls in the first half when it came to points in the paint (28-18) and second-chance points (10-3).
Tribune player of game
Butler continues to be the Bulls' go-to man with nine rebounds to go along with his game-high 32 points.
Big number
7: Pau Gasol leads the Bulls with seven double-doubles this season, including 22 points with 11 rebounds Tuesday.
The quote
"The defensive transition and the speed of the game, that was my biggest concern. And I didn't want to take a chance there," -- Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau on why he decided to sit Rose in the second half because he had looked tentative earlier.
The quote II
"Just trying to be smart, back-to-back (games), fatigue, and didn't want to take any steps back. So, take these couple of days off, head to Boston." -- Rose
Up next
At Celtics, noon, Friday.
Noah latest Bull to be out with injury
