Jimmy Butler Calls Last-Second Hornets Shot In Previous Blowout Loss 'Disrespectful'

(CBS) The Bulls submitted one of their most disappointing efforts in years when they lost 130-105 on the road to the Hornets on Nov. 3.

As if that wasn't enough motivation ahead of Friday's rematch at the United Center, Chicago wing Jimmy Butler has found some more. He's still salty that Charlotte guard Brian Roberts attempted a 16-foot jumper with 0.3 seconds left when the Hornets simply could've run the clock out.

Roberts missed the shot, but it didn't matter to Butler, who brought it up in the context of whether revenge was on the Bulls' mind.

"You don't forget about that dude that went down there and shot that ball at the end of the game," Butler said. "I don't forget that. I think that's just disrespectful. It is what it is, though. We got to handle business tomorrow."

The Bulls (5-3) were embarrassed by their lack of defense in their previous loss to the Hornets (4-4).

"We played with very low energy that game," Butler said. "I think that was the main cause. We started out that way, played that way, finished that way."

Helping the Bulls on Friday should be the return of big man Joakim Noah, who practiced Thursday after sitting out Monday's game with left knee soreness and then being sidelined from Wednesday's practice. Noah's expected to play Friday, barring a setback.

"We need Jo out there," Butler said. "He's back there handling his business."

Noah was going to start Monday in place of Niko Mirotic before he was a late scratch. Mirotic responded with a strong game after previous struggles, so for now it appears he'll remain in Chicago's starting lineup.

Still, coach Fred Hoiberg is evaluating it and left open the idea of moving Noah into the starting unit at some point.

"Yeah, we would've considered it long term," Hoiberg said of the plan to start Noah, indicating it wasn't a one-night move for matchup purposes but rather trying to find the right fit for his team. "Obviously, we've changed a couple things early in the season.

"If we do end up going to that at some time, we'll see how it goes for the guys who have their roles changed. Again, we talked in the preseason that nothing's set in stone and things still are still not set in stone.

"The big thing is getting the right combinations out there."

Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich (toe) is expected to be available to play Friday.