Buzzer-Beating 3 Lifts Bulls; Giants End Cards’ Season

Jimmy Butler did his best Michael Jordan impersonation Thursday night at the United Center. And, no, he didn’t shave his head. Instead he scored 29 points, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer that gave the Bulls an 85-84 exhibition victory against the Atlanta Hawks. Butler had 20 fourth-quarter points and was on the court for 6:07 in the final period. And, yes, this is the season Butler is on a salary drive.

Not sure what the costume is, but Playmate Carly Lauren is welcome to trick or treat in our neighborhood any time.

* Speaking of late heroics, with their 6-3 victory Thursday night against visiting St. Louis (thanks to a three-run, ninth-inning homer run), the San Francisco Giants advanced to the World Series to play the Kansas City Royals. Not sure who is more despondent: Cardinals fans or Fox TV executives? Maybe Fox will show Red Sox-Yankees contests instead to attract a larger audience.

* Speaking of Cardinals fans, perhaps they can find some solace in manager Mike Matheny’s decision to bring in Michael Wacha — who had not pitched since Sept. 26 — to pitch the ninth inning and gave up the series-ending homer to Travis Ishikawa. The good news? Wacha’s 2015 earned-run average will be considerably the one he earned in one-third of an inning in Game 5. Then again, it’s not every day — or season or postseason — that you see a guy with an ERA of 81.00.

* Speaking of the World Series, totally unsubstantiated reports (mainly because they are originating here for the purpose of filling space, if nothing else) have Fox approaching baseball commissioner Bud Selig to see whether retiring New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter can be added to the World Series roster of either the Royals or the Giants or both.

* Still speaking of the World Series, which team do Cubs and White Sox fans root for? Or in a more likely scenario, which team do they root against?

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