Bulls Throttle Trail Blazers, 113-88
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jimmy Butler had 27 points and 12 rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls opened a six-game road trip with a 113-88 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Dwyane Wade had 19 points for Chicago, which extended its modest winning streak to three games. Former Blazers center Robin Lopez added 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Blazers, who had won five of six, were cold from the start, falling behind by as many as 26 points. Damian Lillard, who made just two shots from the field in the first half, finished with 19 points.
Chicago, coming off a 106-95 victory over Washington on Saturday, was without Rajon Rondo because of a left ankle sprain. Jerian Grant made his first start of the season and had 18 points.
Rondo, who joined the Bulls as a free agent in the offseason, is averaging 7.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
The Blazers played their third straight game without starting forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who has a sore left calf and is expected to be re-evaluated next week. Meyers Leonard has been inserted into the lineup in his absence, but he struggled and played 15 minutes with no points.
The Bulls built a 20-7 lead to open the game as Portland struggled, hitting just two of 13 shots from the field. The Blazers were outscored 35-14 in the first quarter.
Butler led the way with 11 points. Lillard, who was ranked third in the league with an average of 30.7 points a game, went 0 for 7 from the floor and didn't make his first basket until midway through the second quarter.
Butler finished the half with 19 points and the Bulls led 56-37. Wade had a two-handed dunk to extend Chicago's lead to 66-42.
Portland was coming off a 112-105 victory at home over the Nuggets on Sunday.
TIP-INS
Bulls: The Bulls lead the league with an average of 13.6 offensive rebounds per game. They had 19 against Portland. ... Doug McDermott was also out because of a concussion. ... Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews all left the Blazers prior to last season, leaving Lillard as the lone starter to return.
Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers hosted the team's first Pride Night to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Proceeds from special sweatshirts and a raffle will go to the Q Center, a local LGBTQ community center. ... At the half, the Blazers also honored athletes who participated in this summer's Rio Olympics with Oregon ties, including hurdler Devon Allen and marathoner Galen Rupp.
UP NEXT
Bulls: Chicago visits the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
Trail Blazers: Portland embarks on a five-game road trip, starting with the Houston Rockets on Thursday night.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
