Boozer feels ready to return

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau wanted to see Carlos Boozer participate in a practice on his sprained left ankle.

Even though the Bulls didn't do much Friday at the Berto Center, Boozer took part. So barring a setback, he expects to be back in the starting lineup Saturday when the Bulls host Cleveland.

“I think there's a good chance I'll play tomorrow night,” Boozer said. “My ankle felt great today. I ran a little bit on the treadmill, got some shots up, walked through some stuff with the team. I really wanted to play last night (against Dallas), but my ankle wasn't ready yet. It's more ready now.”

Playing without Boozer or Joakim Noah this week, the Bulls managed to win two of three games and complete a season sweep of the Mavericks for the first time since 1996-97.

Overall this season, Boozer has missed 18 games and Noah 19, which makes the Bulls' 29-14 record even more impressive. Noah isn't expected back from a right thumb injury until late February.

“We're probably relying too much on jump shots,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “(Boozer) gives us more of a balance to our offense.”

Boozer turned his ankle in the final minute of last Saturday's win over Miami. With the Bulls trailing by 1, Derrick Rose missed a baseline jumper and Boozer's tip wouldn't fall. The ball was then knocked outside, where Kyle Korver drained the go-ahead 3-pointer, but Boozer was injured as he landed after the tip attempt.

“It was about the size of a grapefruit that night,” Boozer said. “Iced it all night long and the next three or four days in a row. The swelling has gone way, way down.”

Careful with Cavs:

Part of coach Tom Thibodeau's duty as head coach is to caution his team not to look past the Cleveland Cavaliers, who visit the United Center on Saturday.

“To me they're a dangerous team,” he said. “They've got guys that can score the ball. You have to be ready to defend right from the start of the game.”

Since losing LeBron James in free-agency, the Cavaliers have been in a sad state. They'd lost 14 straight games and 24 of their last 25 heading into Friday's home date against Milwaukee.

In the previous 11 games, Cleveland allowed at least 100 points every time and never had a final margin less than 8 points.

Center Anderson Varejao and guard Mo Williams are out, while guard Anthony Parker is questionable. Swingman Joey Graham, out since Dec. 15 with a quad tendon strain, was expected to return Friday.

Bull horns:

Because of a hectic game schedule, Friday was just the Bulls' third practice this month. Oddly, they'll get three days in a row off next week between playing Milwaukee and Orlando. ... Bulls are 10-0 when Keith Bogans scores at least 6 points and are 6-0 when he hits 2 or more 3-point shots. He did both on Thursday against Dallas.