CHICAGO -- Jimmy Butler set a playoff career-high for the second straight game with 31 points, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks 91-82 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.
After scoring 25 points in Game 1, Butler trumped that with another terrific performance. He was at his best down the stretch, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Chicago's Derrick Rose scored all of his 15 points in the second half after dominating in the series opener.
Pau Gasol added 11 points and 16 rebounds and Mike Dunleavy Jr. scored 12 points as the third-seeded Bulls grabbed a commanding lead in the series.
Game 3 is Thursday at Milwaukee.
Khris Middleton led the sixth-seeded Bucks with 22 points, and Michael Carter-Williams scored 12 (see full recap).
Warriors shake off slow start to beat Pelicans
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Klay Thompson scored 26 points, Stephen Curry had 22 points and six assists and the Golden State Warriors regrouped from an early deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 97-87 on Monday night and take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.
NBA
The top-seeded Warriors fell behind by 13 points in the first quarter after a strong start by Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon quieted an announced sellout crowd of 19,596 wearing golden yellow shirts. But a big burst before halftime pushed the Warriors ahead, and they did just enough in the closing moments to put away the pesky Pelicans.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is Thursday night in New Orleans.
Davis had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Gordon scored 23 points for the Pelicans who played with more poise and passion against than they did in the series opener (see full recap).