Butler dominates Bucks to give Bulls 2-0 advantage
Jimmy Butler said it best: The Milwaukee Bucks couldn't stop him.
Butler scored a game-high 31 points in leading the Chicago Bulls to a 91-82 point victory on Monday. The win gives Chicago a 2-0 series advantage as the two teams head to Milwaukee for Games 3 and 4.
Related: Smooth Performance of the Night: Butler proves himself unguardable
It was an ugly affair where offense was scarce and scuffles were plenty. Butler got into it with O.J. Mayo, John Henson collided with Aaron Brooks, Nikola Mirotic wrestled Zaza Pachulia and in the end, both teams shot under 40 percent in a gritty defensive battle.
Turning Point
The Bucks scrapped all game long to stay within striking distance and trailed by just six points with three minutes remaining in the fourth.
Enter Butler.
Butler drilled a dagger trey to push Chicago's lead up to nine. That advantage proved insurmountable, as the Bulls' defense held the Bucks to just two points the rest of the way.
Star Performer
Pachulia gets an honorable mention for scuffling with every Bull that would entertain his advances, but the star of the night was undoubtedly Butler.
Butler's 31 points were impressive enough as it is, but he did so while shooting 10-of-19. He was the only player on both teams to shoot better than 50 percent from the field.
But it wasn't just offense for Butler. He played a game-high 46 minutes while locking down both Khris Middleton (8-for-20) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2-for-11). Butler added nine rebounds and two assists for good measure.
Highlight Reel
Butler levitates, swats Middleton:
Butler dunks on Pachulia:
Series at a Glance
Game 1: Bulls 103, Bucks 91
Game 2: Bulls 91, Bucks 82
Game 3: Thursday, April 23, 8 p.m. ET
Game 4: Saturday, April 25, 5:30 p.m. ET
Game 5*: TBD
Game 6*: TBD
Game 7*: TBD