Off a feed from Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic punched a jam in Jason Maxiell’s grill Monday night in the Chicago Bulls’ 98-86 win against the visiting Charlotte Hornets.
The victory clinched a Playoff seed for Da Bulls, and Mirotic scored 14 of his team-high 28 points in the final stanza.
Jimmy Butler rejoined the lineup following an 11-game absence due to a left elbow injury, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds in 39 minutes of action.
Per the Chicago Tribune:
With two answers, one short and one strong, Joakim Noah summarized the state of the Bulls, who clinched their seventh straight playoff berth Monday with a 98-86 victory over the Hornets. […] “No,” Noah said, when asked if the Bulls’ defense is where it needs to be.
Expanding on why, Noah cited a need for more toughness. And then he dropped the kicker. […] “I still think we’re the toughest team to beat in a seven-game series,” he said.
The game also featured another strong finish from Nikola Mirotic, who scored 14 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter. […] “Dude can play,” Butler said. “He has basically carried us this month.”
