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Tony Snell Breaks Out Of Slump, Sparks Bulls In 3rd Quarter

By Cody Westerlund--

CHICAGO (CBS) – As he departed the Bulls' locker room late Monday, Bulls wing Jimmy Butler made a short detour over to teammate Tony Snell's locker and doled out a congratulatory handshake. Moments later, Butler paused before hitting the exit.

"It's lonely at the top," Butler said to Snell. "You're on your way."

It was certainly the overstatement of recent times, and the often-expressionless Snell even broke character for a moment, saying something to the effect of "don't start that." Snell hadn't yet even dressed, having devoted perhaps more time to the media following Chicago's 115-96 win against Philadelphia at the United Center than he had on any other occasion this season.

The horde converged on Snell after he scored a season-high 16 points, including 13 in a third quarter to stir the lifeless, going-through-the-motions Bulls to a 34-12 advantage in the frame over a 76ers team that's on pace for historical futility. Philadelphia (1-25) had led 56-51 against Chicago (14-8) at halftime.

"Huge," Butler said earlier of Snell's play. "We need Tony to play like that all the time, with that confidence, with that swag."

Snell's play was needed on several fronts. For one, point guard Derrick Rose was under the weather, coach Fred Hoiberg said, and as passive as he's ever been in his career, scoring six points on 2-of-3 shooting. It was the fewest shots Rose had ever attempted in a game in which he played at least 20 minutes, according to basketball-reference.com.

Butler was also sick, according to Hoiberg, though you couldn't tell. He scored a game-high 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting.

Most importantly, Snell displayed some personal confidence and broke out of a slump that had seen him score just 18 total points in his last six games and shoot 1-for-10 in his past three contests. He also had a career-high 11 rebounds Monday.

"It was a big confidence boost," Snell said. "Because defensively, we're doing really well. I need to execute better offensively."

Hoiberg continues to start Snell despite his limited offense (5.9 points per game on 35.5 percent shooting) and at-times poor decision-making because he likes what Snell brings defensively – notably guarding the top opposing perimeter player for stretches to keep Butler fresher – and because he prefers to keep wing Doug McDermott paired with big man Joakim Noah, citing their chemistry on dribble handoffs, backdoor cuts and in two-man action on the perimeter.

"I thought Tony impacted the game every way you possibly can on the basketball floor," Hoiberg said.

"Just continue to talk to Tony about being aggressive."

Ideally for the Bulls, they wouldn't need to rely on the inconsistent Snell's play so much, if at all, but that's not currently the case. With veteran wing Mike Dunleavy suffering an early December setback in his rehab from late September back surgery and still without a timetable for a return, Snell will – at least for the near future – continue to be counted on.

So yes, his play matters on a Bulls team that has little margin for error when it's not playing an opponent that's 1-25.

Butler knows this, seeing at least a shade of himself in years past in the defensive-minded and offensively limited Snell. Butler's advice? Just believe you're one of the best players in the league until you actually are.

"If you think like that, you can make that happen," Butler said. "Tony's got to continue to work on his game and just stay aggressive.

"Just keep working on your game. I think your confidence comes from your work."

Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.

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