JIMMY Butler came up with a huge double-double although he struggled with his shooting in his return to the Chicago lineup, powering the Bulls to a 105-94 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).
The Bulls took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Raptors, 34-21 for a 19-point lead at halftime, 58-39.
Butler, who missed four of the past five games due to a bruised heel, scored 19 points, making only two of 10 field goal attempts, and made 12 assists.
Doug McDermott scored 20, Taj Gibson added 14 points and Rajon Rondo chipped in with 12 as the Bulls ended a three-game skid, notching their 27th win in 56 outings.
The Raptors, who earlier acquired Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic for Terrence Ross and a draft pick, absorbed their third straight loss and 24th in 56 games.
Kyle Lowry scored 22 points on 8 of 17 shooting, including 4 of 11 from beyond the arc, while DeMar DeRozan had 18 points, making 5 of 19 field goal attempts.
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