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Butler's strong play fuels Bulls over Grizzlies

Dec 20, 2014 - 6:49 AM Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Jimmy Butler's first double-double of the season helped the Chicago Bulls to a 103-97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

A night after he went for a career-high 35 points in a win over the New York Knicks, Butler netted 31 points with 10 rebounds as the Bulls stopped Memphis' six-game winning streak.

"I think my teammates always trust me to take good shots," Butler said. "We've always played pretty well on the road. We have to turnaround and do it at home. This was definitely a big win."

The Grizzlies were coming off a tough, three-overtime victory over San Antonio their last time out.

Nikola Mirotic proved to be a spark off the bench for Chicago, scoring a career-high 27 points on 6-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.

The Bulls, who have won two straight and five of their last six, were without Derrick Rose (illness) and Taj Gibson (ankle) for a second straight game.

Mike Conley deposited 21 points on 7-of-18 shooting and Beno Udrih posted 15 points in the setback.

Grizzlies forward Marc Gasol contributed 13 points with 10 rebounds, while his brother, Pau, was held to six points to go along with 11 rebounds for Chicago.

"Tonight we didn't have enough effort for the most part because of very tired legs," Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger. "We couldn't get inside their defense... We have to tip our hats to them. They are a good team."

Memphis managed to cut its eight-point halftime deficit to 73-66 after three quarters.

Chicago had an answer for the Grizzlies' comeback efforts throughout the fourth, but the hosts closed to within three late. Conley hit three free throws after a Kirk Hinrich foul, then Marc Gasol took a feed from Conley for a dunk that capped a 9-3 run to make it a 95-92 game with 28.7 seconds left.

Joakim Noah, who had 10 points with 13 rebounds, and Aaron Brooks each knocked down a pair of free throws around a Conley layup prior to Conley burying a 3- pointer to cut the margin to 99-97.

E'Twaun Moore played just 53 seconds, but found himself at the line late in the contest. Moore calmly hit both free throws preceding Conley's missed 3 and Butler secured the win with two more from the stripe to account for the final margin.

Each team made nine field goals and finished the first quarter with 13 rebounds as the Grizzlies brought a slim 22-20 lead into the second.

Mirotic made all four of his attempts from beyond the arc in the second and scored 13 points in the frame. Chicago made half of its shots in the quarter and limited Memphis to 28.6 percent shooting, taking a 51-43 advantage into the break.

Game Notes

Grizzlies guard Tony Allen missed the game with a right corneal abrasion ... Memphis had won four of five against Chicago ... Chicago limited the Grizzlies to 2-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc ... Brooks had 17 points off the bench for the Bulls.