Nov. 25--The summary
The Bulls were closer to playing with a full deck Monday night when coach Tom Thibodeau announced that Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol would be in the starting lineup. Without missing a beat, Rose scored 18 points and Gasol had 23 as the Bulls survived a 97-95 decision in Salt Lake City. Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 25 points and provided the spark the Bulls needed down the stretch. Kirk Hinrich was ruled out with a chest contusion and Taj Gibson was home nursing a badly sprained ankle. The Bulls enjoyed a 56-41 halftime lead before watching the Jazz climb back in it.
Turning point
The Jazz outscored the Bulls 36-22 in the third quarter to pull within a point, but the Bulls did their best to rebuff the home team. With 11:23 left in the fourth quarter, Butler and Joe Ingles of the Jazz tussled along the baseline. Butler was assessed a technical foul.
Tribune's player of the game
Butler scored 25 points, made four steals and showed willingness to mix it up when the game became chippy.
Big number
55.6
The Bulls' shooting percentage in the first quarter. They hit 11 of 19 from the floor en route to a 30-14 lead.
The quote
Coach Tom Thibodeau on Butler: "You can't say enough about Jimmy. To me, he's playing at an incredible high level on both ends of the floor. Makes big play after big play."
Rose and Gasol in lineup
