Butler Making His Points; Bull Win 6th in Row

December 28, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Sunday smorgasbord: Jimmy Butler probably won’t be an all-star game starter. Well, this season. Possibly in the future. The Chicago Bulls guard had a game-high 33 points in a 107-100 victory vs. the visiting New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night. For those folks worrying that the Bulls failed to sign him to a contract extension before the season and his price in free agency is going to be a couple of million dollars or so a season more than what the Bulls offered, worrying isn’t going to change that. And look at it this way: If the Bulls had signed him to an extension, maybe he’s not functioning at quite the level he has this season. At least now everyone knows how good he can be. With the possibility of getting even better.

Video below of Victoria’s Secret model Candice Swanepoel.

* Speaking of the Bulls, not sure what to make of this numerical observation: Bulls forward Pau Gasol had a team-leading six assists. The rest of the Bulls’ starting lineup combined for seven.

* Speaking of intriguing numbers, no Bulls starter other than Butler — who played 36 minutes — had more than 30 minutes on the court.

* Speaking of playing time, E’Twaun Moore had 20 minutes; Tony Snell had four. Of the five Bulls reserves who played, Snell was the only one who did not have at least 17 minutes in the game.

* Something says in the not-too-distant future Bulls fans will be wishing they had a Chicago native on the roster other than Derrick Rose (who had 19 points vs. New Orleans). As in Pelicans center Anthony Davis , who had 29 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots. That’s as many blocked shots as the entire Bulls team had. Something to think about down the road when Davis becomes a free agent. Time is on everyone’s side. He is a mere 21 years old. And awfully good.

^ Speaking of being awfully good, the Bears are more awful than good. So no one is going to be too sad to see their season end Sunday at Minnesota. It generally is not a good sign when the most excitement for a team comes during the offseason. Well, with the possible of the exception of the Cubs, right?

* If the idea was to replace Marc Trestman as Bears coach with Jim Harbaugh, you apparently can forget that scenario. The San Francisco 49ers coach and former Bears quarterback is returning to his alma mater — collegiate, not professional. He is going to become the University of Michigan coach, people in the know have reported. For a reported six-year, $48 million deal. In other words, more money than the Bears would be tossing his way if he were available.

* Say what you will about the Bears. They have allowed 429 points. That total leads the NFL. If “lead” is the precise verb to use. Meaning “to give up the most points.” In case anyone was wondering whether wholesale changes need to be made regarding the team. Truth be told, some folks do have the feeling the McCaskey family isn’t so much into wholesale as it is retail.

* Speaking of NFL-related numbers, here are some more from the fine folks at Bovada, (www.Bovada.lv, Twitter: @BovadaLV):

Odds to win Super Bowl XLIX
Seattle Seahawks 13/5
New England Patriots 11/4
Green Bay Packers 11/2
Denver Broncos 13/2
Dallas Cowboys 8/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 14/1
Detroit Lions 22/1
Indianapolis Colts 25/1
Cincinnati Bengals 33/1
San Diego Chargers 40/1
Arizona Cardinals 50/1
Atlanta Falcons 66/1
Baltimore Ravens 75/1
Carolina Panthers 75/1
Houston Texans 500/1
Kansas City Chiefs 500/1
Buffalo Bills Off the Board
Chicago Bears Off the Board
Cleveland Browns Off the Board
Jacksonville Jaguars Off the Board
Miami Dolphins Off the Board
Minnesota Vikings Off the Board
New Orleans Saints Off the Board
New York Giants Off the Board
New York Jets Off the Board
Oakland Raiders Off the Board
Philadelphia Eagles Off the Board
San Francisco 49ers Off the Board
St. Louis Rams Off the Board
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Off the Board
Tennessee Titans Off the Board
Washington Redskins Off the Board

Early Super Bowl Line
AFC Pick
NFC Pick

Odds to win the 2015 AFC Conference
New England Patriots 4/5
Denver Broncos 10/3
Pittsburgh Steelers 7/1
Indianapolis Colts 10/1
Cincinnati Bengals 16/1
San Diego Chargers 18/1
Baltimore Ravens 33/1
Houston Texans 200/1
Kansas City Chiefs 200/1

Odds to win the 2015 NFC Conference
Seattle Seahawks 1/1
Green Bay Packers 5/2
Dallas Cowboys 17/4
Detroit Lions 11/1
Arizona Cardinals 25/1
Atlanta Falcons 33/1
Carolina Panthers 40/1

Who will win the NFC South?
Atlanta Falcons -220 (5/11)
Carolina Panthers +180 (9/5)

Who will win the NFC North?
Green Bay Packers -350 (2/7)
Detroit Lions +275 (11/4)

Who will win the AFC North?
Pittsburgh Steelers -180 (5/9)
Cincinnati Bengals +160 (8/5)

Will the Baltimore Ravens make the playoffs?
Yes EVEN (1/1)
No -125 (4/5)

Will the Houston Texans make the playoffs?
Yes +900 (9/1)
No -1800 (1/18)

Will the Kansas City Chiefs make the playoffs?
Yes 33/1

Will the San Diego Chargers make the playoffs?
Yes +125 (5/4)
No -150 (2/3)

NFL MVP – Odds to Win
Aaron Rodgers (GB) QB 1/3
J.J. Watt (HOU) 5/1
Tom Brady (NE) QB 6/1
DeMarco Murray (DAL) RB 16/1
Tony Romo (DAL) QB 16/1
Le’Veon Bell (PIT) RB 50/1
Andrew Luck (IND) QB 50/1
Peyton Manning (DEN) QB 50/1
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) QB 50/1

***

Here is where to go for a daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the engaging efforts of the editorial and video departments at ElliottHarris.com):