The Chicago Bulls will look to head into the All-Star break with some momentum when they take on the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers in the only NBA game Thursday night, the last before the break.
But they'll be missing a key ingredient in shooting guard Jimmy Butler, who will not play due to a shoulder strain, according to head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Butler, who sustained the injury on Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic, is the Bulls' leading scorer and best wing defender, and would have drawn the daunting LeBron James assignment. Without him, the Bulls will have to defend by committee, with replacement starter Tony Snell likely shouldering the bulk of the load.
Snell has some defensive chops and has really come alive in the past month or so, but Butler's absence drastically shrinks the Bulls' margin for error. The Cavaliers are dealing with their own injury concern, as Kevin Love is officially listed as questionable with a corneal abrasion suffered Wednesday against the Miami Heat.
Butler hasn't yet commented on his status for Sunday's All-Star Game. Thibodeau says that Butler will at least travel to New York for the festivities, but isn't sure whether he'll play.
The winner of Thursday night's game will go into the break with sole possession of first place in the Central Division and third in the Eastern Conference.
