Rondo hoping to end personal playoff drought
Excitement about the playoff race isn't limited to younger guys on the Chicago Bulls' roster.
Rajon Rondo appeared in 92 playoff games and two Finals with the Boston Celtics. But since 2012, Rondo has played in just two postseason games.
Those were with Dallas in 2015 when Rondo played in the first two games of a first-round series against Houston, then was sent home.
As of Tuesday morning, the Bulls were a half-game behind Miami for the final playoff spot in the East with eight left to play.
"That's when the big lights come on. I would love to get back to the playoffs," Rondo said Tuesday at the Advocate Center. "That's the goal. That was the goal when I came here was to make the playoffs, nothing else. We got a little more work to do."
It's a tight race all around. Atlanta, Milwaukee and Indiana were in a three-way tie for fifth place on Tuesday morning, but just 4 games ahead of 10th-place Charlotte.
Bulls top scorer Jimmy Butler was asked what he remembers about his playoff debut as a Bulls rookie.
"I don't remember too much," he said. "That was a long time ago (2012). I probably didn't play, I can tell you that (about four minutes total). Was it against Philly? Was that it? Yeah, against Philly. I don't remember too much. I was over there being a fan, watching from the bench."
Cavs crumbling:
Getting to the eighth spot in the East wouldn't necessarily mean a first-round playoff series against Cleveland.
After a lopsided loss in San Antonio on Monday, the Cavaliers dropped into second place behind Boston.
Cleveland is just 5-8 over its last 13 games. The Cavs are 0-3 against the Bulls this season and visit the United Center on Thursday.
"It's a delicate time right now for our team," LeBron James said after Monday's loss.
Oddly enough, Cleveland is back at relative full strength now that Kevin Love and J.R. Smith have returned from injuries.
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg wasn't ready to take the Cavs' problems seriously.
"They're going to be fine," Hoiberg said. "You've got LeBron, Kyrie; they're the defending champs, obviously. So they're still the team you have to beat if you're going to get to the Finals."
Felicio still recovering:
Cristiano Felicio is still not fully recovered from the back injury he suffered last week against Toronto.
He has missed the past three games and remains questionable for Thursday against Cleveland.
"He did a lot of non-contact stuff.
He's moving around pretty well but he still has some soreness," said Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg, who did not rule out Felicio for Thursday's contest.
"So we want to give him a couple more days to make sure he's right."