In case no one has noticed, Jimmy Butler is “the guy” for the Chicago Bulls this season. He proved it again when he scored 42 points in an exciting finish as the Bulls defeated the Toronto Raptors, 123-118 in OT.

Chicago looked dead in the water, trailing by 19 in the third quarter, but the team decided to play basketball, and courtesy of a 14-0 run, got back in the game in the final minutes. It was the Butler and Dwyane Wade show as the two stars led the Bulls back.

Wade had 20 points for Chicago. Doug McDermott added 17 points. Nikola Mirotic chipped in with 12 points. The Bulls shot only 39% yet came away with the W.  However, the team out-rebounded the Raptors, 60-41.

Chicago made 36-39 free-throw shots.

In many ways this game sort of symbolized the Bulls season thus far. The gang that couldn’t shoot straight started to make key shots in the nick of time. Their star, Butler played a great game like great players do. His trey with 17.3 seconds left in OT sealed the win. Butler has scored over 40 points in three of the last six games.  He has become an offensive force in the NBA.

The Bulls have beaten Toronto 10 straight times dating back to 2013. DeMar DeRozan had a great night, netting 36 points. Kyle Lowry narrowly missed a triple double with 27 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds.

But Chicago had the right stuff down the stretch to come away with the victory. Chicago is now 19-18 for the year.

Next, OKC and Russel Westbrook come into the United Center to take on the Bulls.