Jimmy Butler's Stand and Dunleavy's 35 Help Chicago Avoid 3-0 Hole

WASHINGTON, D.C.  Just when everyone affiliated with ESPN wanted to say it was over, the Chicago Bulls, once again, kept the game close, and this time finally found a way to hold on at the end.

Chicago also finally held the Wizards under 100 points, winning an ugly 100-97 contest.

Jimmy Butler and the Bulls finally stood up to the Wizards' bullying and came away with a 100-97 victory.

The height of the ugliness came midway through the 4th quarter, when the momentum appeared to be Washington's, with Nene just scoring on a fast-break to pull to two points down at 78-76, with 8:27 remaining in the game.

Nene had just scored the lay-up over two Bulls' players, and after starting to head back on defense shoved Jimmy Butler with an elbow. It was symbolic of the way the Wizards were pushing the Bulls around in crunch-time of the previous two contests.

However, Butler was not having it. Words were exchanged as the players got head-to-head, with Nene giving a slight head-butt. When Butler refused to back down, Nene grabbed the left side of Butler's head and pushed, and that was when teammates and officials intervened.

For his role as the physical aggressor, Nene was ejected from the game.

The play ignited Jimmy Butler, who after going 0-6 on three-pointers for the series, hit two momentum-breaking treys in the 4th quarter to finish with 11 points and 1 assist in the quarter. Butler's explosive 4th quarter gave him totals of 15 points, 5 rebound, 2 assist, and 1 steal for the game.

Lost amidst the 4th quarter melee between Nene and Jimmy Butler was Mike Dunleavy, Jr. big night. The 11-year forward scored a game high 35 points on an efficient 12 of 19 shooting, including making an insane 8 of 10 from three-point range.

The first Chicago Bulls win of the series kept the trend of the visiting team winning each contest. Who needs home-court?

Do you think Chicago will win tomorrow night to come home with the series tied? Will Chicago win the series, and in how many games? Tell us your predictions in the comments below!