Dec. 15--Jimmy Butler scored 23 points, Nikola Mirotic had 17 and Tony Snell added 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls came alive in the second half and trounced the Philadelphia 76ers 115-96 on Monday night at the United Center.
Joakim Noah added five points and 15 rebounds to help the Bulls to their third consecutive victory and improve to 14-8. The 76ers dropped to 1-25 on the season despite 22 points and eight rebounds from Jahlil Okafor.
Turning point
Trailing 56-51 at the half, the Bulls rode the hot hand of Snell to race to a big lead after three quarters. Snell had 13 in the quarter, out-scoring the entire 76ers team, which had 12.
Tribune player of game
Snell. The forward sent a jolt into a sleepy Bulls effort with his third-quarter explosion during which Snell went 4-for-5 from the field, including a three-pointer. It was Snell's second career double-double.
The quote
"That's the type of energy we need to play with the entire game, not just after being down five at the half and then we have to react. We can get away with it against Philadelphia but probably won't be able to get away with it against other teams. I liked the reaction, I liked the energy in the second half but I would like it for 48 minutes."
-- Bulls center Pau Gasol, who finished with 13 points and seven rebounds
Key number
100: Gasol appeared in his 100th regular-season game with the Bulls.
Up next
Vs. Grizzlies, 7 p.m. Wednesday, CSN/ESPN.
