Butler's Tough Defense Gives Bulls Win, NBA Roundup

With the final seconds ticking away, they stared each other down one last time, Paul George with the ball, and Jimmy Butler right in front of him. When George went up for a potential winning shot, Butler was right there for the Chicago Bulls.

Butler scored 17 points and played tough defense on George on Indiana's final possession, helping the Bulls hold on for a 96-95 victory over the Pacers on Monday night.

"Jimmy made some huge plays for us down the stretch," Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg said. "Not only the last play, but he made some big baskets."

Butler stayed right with George and challenged his difficult fadeaway shot that was well short as time expired, sending the Bulls to their third straight win and fourth in five games.

"He's a hell of a player, a tough guard for anybody in the league," Butler said. "But he went right, pulled up and I was there to contest and got a piece of the ball."

Indiana coach Frank Vogel said the Pacers got the final play they wanted.

"I don't think there was a foul," he said. "He just made a good defensive play."

Derrick Rose had 23 points on 9-for-18 shooting for Chicago, but departed with about six minutes remaining after he sprained his left ankle. Doug McDermott scored 11 points.

Monday, November 16 Scoreboard

Dallas 92, Philadelphia 86
    
Chicago 96, Indiana 95

Boston 111, Houston 95

Memphis 122, Oklahoma City 114

San Antonio 93, Portland 80

Phoenix 120, Los Angeles 101

Tuesday, November 17 Schedule (All Times Central)

Milwaukee at Washington, 6 p.m.

Atlanta at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m.

Cleveland at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Miami, 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte at New York, 6:30 p.m.

Denver at New Orleans, 7 p.m.

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