Bulls Rout Thunder, Pacers Beat Magic

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Published on February 2 2017 6:20 am
Last Updated on February 2 2017 6:21 am

By ESPN

The Chicago Bulls got just the start they needed for their six-game road trip.

Jimmy Butler scored 28 points to help the Bulls rout the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-100 on Wednesday night.

Dwyane Wade had 18 points and seven assists for the Bulls, who shot 60.5 percent from the field overall and 68 percent in the second half. They needed the momentum on a trip that includes games at Houston and Golden State.

"This was just a great team win from start to finish," Wade said. "We really came out and executed our game plan, especially offensively."

Russell Westbrook had 28 points and eight assists, and Jerami Grant scored a season-high 15 points for the Thunder, who lost their third straight overall and had their five-game home winning streak snapped.

Westbrook made 10 of 23 shots.

"You just gotta challenge every shot," Butler said. "He's a hell of a player, getting downhill, at the basket. He can make the outside shot and loves to get his teammates involved."

It took until the fourth quarter for someone other than Westbrook to reach 10 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City shot just 38 percent from the field and made 10 of 37 3-pointers. It was the second-worst loss of the season for Oklahoma City, behind a 34-point loss in Memphis.

"I don't think we were very good tonight, especially on the defensive end of the floor," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said.

Butler scored 18 points in the first half to help the Bulls take a 55-47 lead at the break.

Chicago started the second half on a 17-4 run to take a 72-51 lead. The Thunder trimmed the deficit to 14, but the Bulls bounced right back and led 94-73 at the end of the third quarter.

Westbrook played less than a minute in the fourth quarter, sitting down for good with 8:14 remaining and the Bulls ahead 108-82.

"We just try to pack the paint and make them make shots," Wade said. "We were able to get them to miss some and go down and not see their defense all night and score a little in transition."


Pacers 98, Magic 88

C.J. Miles is still growing into his role as a member of the Indiana Pacers' starting unit.

Each possession, each game is a step in the process. The shooting guard took a major leap Wednesday night when he bounced back from a rough start to score 14 of his team-high 16 points after halftime and lead the Pacers over Orlando 98-88.

Plagued by foul trouble in the first half, Miles converted 4 of 5 3-pointers during the final two quarters to help the Pacers extend their winning streak to four. Miles was inserted into the starting lineup ahead of Glenn Robinson III five games ago.

"I wouldn't say more comfortable," Miles said. "I just feel like I've been able to add to that group what the coaching staff moved me for. They needed more space, not that (Robinson) isn't a threat."

Miles knocked down timely 3-pointers in the second half to keep the Magic from making a comeback after several threats. His 3-pointer with 1:37 to play effectively sealed the win for the Pacers after Orlando had moved within 93-88 on two free throws by Nikola Vucevic.

His ability to knock down 3-pointers opened up the floor for power forward Thaddeus Young to do damage with mid-range jumpers and for point guard Jeff Teague to cause problems on the interior driving the ball to the basket.


Wednesday, February 1 Scoreboard

Indiana 98, Orlando 88

Cleveland 125, Minnesota 97

Boston 109, Toronto 104

New York 95, Brooklyn 90

Miami 116, Atlanta 93

Detroit 118, New Orleans 98

Dallas 113, Philadelphia 95

Memphis 119, Denver 99

Utah 104, Milwaukee 88

Los Angeles Clippers 124, Phoenix 114

Chicago 128, Oklahoma City 100

Golden 126, Charlotte 111


Thursday, February 2 Schedule (All Times Central)

Los Angeles Lakers at Washington, 6 p.m.

Atlanta at Houston, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.

Golden State at Los Angeles Clippers, 9:30 p.m.


Friday, February 3 Schedule (All Times Central)

Toronto at Orlando, 6 p.m.

Indiana at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.

Chicago at Houston, 7 p.m.

Memphis at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

Los Angeles Lakers at Boston, 7 p.m.

Milwaukee at Denver, 8 p.m.

Phoenix at Sacramento, 9:30 p.m.

Dallas at Portland, 9:30 p.m.


Saturday, February 4 Schedule (All Times Central)

New Orleans at Washington, 6 p.m.

Orlando at Atlanta, 6 p.m.

Detroit at Indiana, 6 p.m.

Philadelphia at Miami, 6:30 p.m.

Cleveland at New York, 7:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Utah, 8 p.m.

Milwaukee at Phoenix, 8 p.m.

Denver at San Antonio, 8 p.m.

Memphis at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Golden State at Sacramento, 9:30 p.m.


Sunday, February 5 Schedule (All Times Central)

Toronto at Brooklyn, 11 a.m.

Los Angeles Clippers at  Boston, 1 p.m.

Portland at Oklahoma City, 2 p.m.