Butler improves, but Bulls will remain shorthanded
The health news continues to be dicey for the Bulls.
The good news on Monday was Jimmy Butler practiced a short amount and there's a chance he'll play Tuesday when the Bulls return to the United Center to take on the Toronto Raptors. Butler missed four of the last five games with a bruised right heel.
"He's sore, as I think everyone would expect," coach Fred Hoiberg said following practice at the Advocate Center. "But it was good to see him back out there with the guys. We'll see how he's doing tomorrow morning, put him through shootaround. I'm sure we'll put him through a workout before the game and then make a determination."
Hoiberg said Dwyane Wade (right wrist) and Paul Zipser (ankle) both went for MRI exams Monday. The results were not immediately available. Wade already had an X-ray taken, which was negative.
Wade injured both wrists during Friday's loss in Phoenix, but the right one is worse. He sat out Sunday's ugly loss at Minnesota. Zipser has missed the last two games. The availability of either player for Tuesday's is anyone's guess, but Hoiberg called them "probably doubtful."
Hoiberg said Nikola Mirotic is still experiencing back spasms, so he didn't practice and seems very doubtful for Toronto. Mirotic did not play against the Timberwolves.
With the all-star break coming on Friday and the NBA trade deadline looming on Feb. 23, it's possible Mirotic has already played his last game with the Bulls,but there's no telling what might be in store.
Raptors reeling:
Toronto is a team that may be looking to make changes before the trade deadline hits. The Raptors are 4-10 since Jan. 18 and now just a half-game away from falling behind Atlanta and into fifth place in the East.
The worst loss in a bad stretch was probably Sunday night when Toronto squandered a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost at home to Detroit 102-101. After the game, point guard Kyle Lowry expressed maximum frustration.
"Everything. Everything," Lowry said when asked what went wrong, according to the Toronto Star. "Keep putting in the same situations over and over and not being successful - something's got to give, something gotta change. I have an idea (what's needed) but I'm (going to) keep my mouth shut, keep it professional."
The Raptors have lost 10 straight against the Bulls, going back three seasons.
Hoiberg tries to endure:
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg talked Monday about how he copes with the frequent ups and downs of this season.
"My dog doesn't care if we win or lose," he said with a laugh. "I have a great family, they try to keep me levelheaded through this time. It's hard. You try not to take it home with you, it's hard to do sometimes with the business the way it is.
"It's nice to have that outlet and it's hard when you're on the road as long as we were. That's who you lean on the people closest to you. For me, that's my family, my staff."
Hoiberg's son, Jack, is one of the best players at Hinsdale Central High School, which is currently No. 16 in the Daily Herald rankings.