体坛英语新闻：Butler explodes for 40 in second half to lead Bulls over Raptors

TORONTO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chicago Bulls' forward Jimmy Butler scored 42 points including a franchise-best 40 points in the second half to beat the Toronto Raptors 115-113 in Sunday afternoon NBA action.

After scoring just two points in the first half on 1-of-4 shooting from the field in 15 minutes, Butler bounced back with 21 points in the third quarter and 19 in the final frame.

"It was an unbelievable performance by Jimmy," said the Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg in Toronto. "It's the best performance I've seen coaching. A really, really good individual performance."

The 26-year-old Butler played the entire second half where he was 14-for-19 from the field, 10-for-11 from the free throw line and hit a pair of three pointers. His biggest shot occurred with 30 seconds remaining in the game which gave the team their first lead of the second half.

"I made a couple of shots, I put the ball in the basket," said a modest Butler after the game. "It shows how much confidence my teammates and coaches have in me."

Butler's performance surpasses the previous team record for points in the half of 39 points set by Michael Jordan in a 1988 game against Milwaukee.

"I don't want to be compared to him (Michael Jordan)," said Butler. "I'm trying, but we're nowhere near the same player."

While Butler has not reached Jordan's level yet, the five year veteran has improved each season and has begun to receive recognition from coaches, players, media and fans after last year's breakout campaign.

Last season, Butler became an All-Star for the first time in his career and was selected to the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team for the second straight season, and he was also awarded the Most Improved Player award.

In the offseason, Butler was awarded a five-year contract worth 95-million-U.S.-dollar to stay in Chicago.

"My confidence is always high," said Butler, who in on pace to surpass last year's production. "I know how much work I put in during the summer time."

The 40 points scored in the second half was the most by a player in a single game all season. Butler surpassed reigning MVP Stephen Curry's 38-point production on Oct. 31 in a victory over the Pelicans.