Some things in the NBA can be hard to explain, like Phil Jackson’s tweets or Robin Lopez’s hairstyle.
And so it has been with the Bulls’ stranglehold on the Raptors, even as the latter moved into the realm of Eastern Conference elite.
The inexplicable repeated itself Tuesday night at the United Center.
Playing without Dwyane Wade, Nikola Mirotic and Paul Zipser, the Bulls prevailed in the series for the 11th straight time. With Jimmy Butler back from missing four of five games with a right heel contusion, the Bulls snapped their three-game skid that featured losses of 18 points or more in each with a 105-94 victory.
"The biggest thing was the energy we came out of the gate with," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "We made good simple basketball plays in the first half. We had good pace."
The triumph couldn’t have come at a better time.
"A lot of times, guys tend to set their minds on the All-Star break, being around family," Taj Gibson said, scoring points for brutal honesty. "We just try to keep guys’ heads still into the fight because you know the (final 25 games) are even harder. These two games (this week) are important to us."
If the Bulls make the playoffs, can they figure a way to jigger a first-round matchup with the Raptors? Don’t forget: The Bulls also beat them 15 straight times from December 2002 to December 2006. And the 2002-03 and 2003-04 Bulls were — how shall we say this? — not good.
"I don’t know what it is about the Bulls that gives us fits," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. "We stay up day and night trying to figure it out."
Meanwhile, Hoiberg’s recent sleeplessness over poor play and poor team health can be sated for at least one night. The Bulls led by as many as 23 and enjoyed advantages of 54-34 in bench scoring and 20-7 in fast-break points.
And here’s progress: When the Raptors trimmed a 23-point deficit to 10 in the fourth quarter, much-maligned young players Denzel Valentine and Doug McDermott hit critical shots. Valentine sank a corner 3-pointer and McDermott, who finished with a team-high 20 points, scored on a nice step-back jumper off a post-up.
When the Raptors made another push and pulled to within eight, Valentine sank another 3-pointer and McDermott scored on a driving layup.
"I thought Doug was in a good rhythm all night long," Hoiberg said. "Denzel stepped up in a big way and hit two really timely 3-pointers for us as they were making that run."
Butler returned more as defender and playmaker than scorer, finishing with 19 points, a career-high tying 12 assists and four steals. He also helped limit DeMar DeRozan, who entered with a team-high average of 27.9 points, to just 18 points on 5-for-19 shooting.
DeRozan’s frustration boiled over with 25 seconds left as he drew two quick technical fouls and an ejection.
Butler logged 38 minutes and showed few effects from the lingering injury in the Bulls’ first home game since Jan. 29. He also shot double-digit free throws for the 27th time this season, third leaguewide behind James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
In fact, twice the Raptors pulled to within five in the fourth and Butler drew fouls and went to the line both times, sinking three of four free throws.
"I (kept asking) him how he was feeling and he kept saying he felt great," "I’m sure he’ll be sore (Wednesday). But he will have a week off soon (for the All-Star break)."
The Bulls scored 19 points off the Raptors’ 18 turnovers.
"Maybe we just play better against them," Butler said. "I don’t know the answer to that."
kcjohnson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @kcjhoop
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