Jimmy Butler scores 18, fills stat sheet and throws down monster dunk (video)

Jimmy Butler played all but two minutes in the Bulls' win over Detroit Wednesday.

And Luol Deng's understudy filled up the stat sheet: 18 points (6-14 FG, 5-6 FT), a 3-pointer, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.

With Deng out with a hamstring injury, Butler has taken advantage of the extra play time:

• January 21: 10 points (4-10 FG, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and a steal in 43 minutes.

• January 19: 18 points (5-13 FG, 8-8 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in 48 minutes. 

Butler is proving that he's worth a spot start while Deng is out. And I wonder if he'll take some of Rip Hamilton's minutes when Deng returns. 



Photo via Jimmy Butler's Twitter.