Dribbles: Cavs' Kevin Love may give it a go, Bulls' Jimmy Butler won't
Tipoff: United Center, Chicago, 8 p.m.
Records: Cavaliers 33-21; Bulls 33-20.
TV: TNT. Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron)
Projected Starters
Cavaliers: C Timofey Mozgov; PF Kevin Love; SF LeBron James; SG J.R. Smith; PG Kyrie Irving.
Bulls: C Joakim Noah; PF Pau Gasol; SF Nikola Mirotic; SG Tony Snell; PG Derrick Rose.
Injury Report
Cavaliers: PF Kevin Love (eye) questionable; C Anderson Varejao (Achilles) out.
Bulls: SG Jimmy Butler (shoulder) out; Kirk Hinrich (toe) out; G/F Mike Dunleavy (ankle) questionable; F Taj Gibson (knee) probable.
Dribbles
1. First of all, we're not likely to know the official status of Kevin Love until right before tip-off. Love was injured chasing a rebound in the third quarter of Wednesday's win over the Heat. He was accidentally poked in the eye by Heat guard Mario Chalmers on the play. The injury is officially called a "corneal abrasion." The Cavs officially listed him as "50-50."
2. That said, it sounds as if the plan is for Love to at least give it a go.
2. Secondly, Bulls leading scorer and All-Star guard Jimmy Butler is out after suffering a shoulder strain in Tuesday's win over the Kings. Butler is still traveling to New York for All-Star weekend, but it has not yet been determined if he'll play in the game.
3. Butler's loss is a biggie for the Bulls. He's averaging a team-high 20.4 points in 49 games. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by second-year guard Tony Snell.
4. The Bulls hold a half-game edge in the Central Division -- and for the No. 3 seed in the East. But the Cavs won each of the first two meetings this season.
5. Overall, the Cavs have won 14 of 15. They simply destroyed the Heat on Wednesday in playing one of their most complete games of the year. "I think we just grew as a team again, defensively," LeBron James said. "Offensively, we shared the ball. We had a high assist game, and those are key ingredients for a win -- when you can defend like that and share the ball."
6. It also helps to rebound, and with Love, the Cavs can at least compete with the Bulls tall and aggressive frontline on the boards. Even without him, Tristan Thompson has been magnificent in hustling for loose balls and rebounds off the bench. But the Cavs will need to make up for it somewhere if Love doesn't play. He's averaging 10.4 rebounds a night.
7. Love on his eye: "It feels OK. I got hit there pretty hard by Chalmers. It was blurry for around 20-30 minutes but I was able to regain my vision and I feel fine now."
8. The Cavs play eight of their next 10 on the road. That includes their first four after the All-Star break. Their next home game isn't until Feb. 26 against the Golden State Warriors. The Cavs and Bulls are the only two teams in the league playing tonight.
