The 2016-17 season has been pretty hit or miss for the Chicago Bulls’ second-year man, Bobby Portis. Thursday night was a hit -- in more ways than one. Taking on the Philadelphia 76ers in a must-win game with their playoff position still in the balance, the Bulls came through with a 102-90 victory, which moved them to 39-40 on the season, and kept them secure in the seventh spot in the East.
Jimmy Butler, as he has been all season, was tremendous, submitting a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but Portis was solid as well, as he turned in his second double-double in the last three games, shooting 6-of-8 from the floor on his way to a 12-point, 11-rebound night.
He even hit a buzzer-beater to end the third quarter, dropping in a little push shot that extended the Bulls’ lead to 82-67. Next, he proceeded to hit Jimmy Butler with a powerful high-five.
It was so sharp, that Butler immediately began shaking his hand, and turned to look at his young teammate in surprise. After the game, Butler jokingly sent Portis a message. Via ESPN:
“I know if Bobby smacks my hand as hard as he did again,” Butler said with a smile, “we’re going to go toe-to-toe.”
Hopefully for the Bulls, Portis will have more chances to redeem himself with better high-fives in the playoffs.
(h/t Basketball Talk)
