After the Chicago Bulls blew one big lead, Jimmy Butler helped ensure they didn't surrender another.
Derrick Rose had 25 points and five assists, Butler added 20 points and six helpers and the Bulls held off the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-92 on Monday in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
After blowing a 16-point lead in the first half, Chicago used a 15-0 run in the third quarter to build another healthy cushion.
Cleveland charged back and trimmed the deficit to two in the fourth quarter with 5:21 left. Butler, though, split a pair of free throws and nailed a 3-pointer before Pau Gasol's jumper gave the Bulls a 94-86 lead with 3:26 to go.
The Cavs never got closer than four the rest of the way. Butler scored seven of Chicago's last 11 points.
Game 2 is Wednesday in Cleveland.
[SportsNetwork.com]
