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Chicago Bulls: Takeaways From Game 1 Win Over Boston Celtics

By James D. Tillman III

Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) keeps the ball away from Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls 106-102 win over the Boston Celtics in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) keeps the ball away from Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls 106-102 win over the Boston Celtics in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Butler Does It Once Again

Although Jimmy Butler has been the subject of trade rumors over the last two years, he has gotten better every year he’s been in the league.

Not only does he lead the Bulls in points (23.9), steals (1.8) and minutes played (37) he is also second on the team in rebounds (6.2) and assists (5.4).

Simply put, the guy does everything.

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Having said that, if the Bulls had any hopes of knocking off the top-seeded Celtics, Butler would need to be at the top of his game.

That wasn’t the case early against the Celtics in Game 1, as the three-time All-Star converted just one of his first five shot attempts. But as he has done numerous instances during the season, Butler delivered when his team needed him the post.

After a sub-par first half, Butler bounced back to score 23 points in the game’s final 14 minutes, including 15 in the fourth quarter. When it was all said and done, Butler finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

And thanks to a pair of clutch free throws, the Bulls managed to escape with a win despite nearly giving up a nine-point lead with 48 seconds left in regulation.

In addition to that, Butler more than held his own when he was tasked with guarding Thomas in the fourth quarter.

Oh, and to put Butler’s fourth-quarter outburst into its proper perspective, it should be noted that the only player in Bulls history to score more than Butler did in a road playoff game was none other than Michael Jordan, who lit up the Utah Jazz with 16 points in the fourth quarter Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals.

Next: 25 Greatest Playoff Performers of All-Time

Considering that Butler managed to help carry the Bulls to victory without huge contributions from two members of the starting lineup (Dwyane Wade and Mirotic), this group has to be confident heading into Game 2.

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