The Bulls have defeated the Raptors 10 straight times. To make it 11 straight, they’ll need to overcome yet another shorthanded status.
Dwyane Wade, Nikola Mirotic and Paul Zipser all are out vs. the Raptors, although Jimmy Butler is back after missing four of the last five games with a right heel contusion.
"He looked good and had a good workout (Monday)," coach Fred Hoiberg said.
Wade sat last game with a right wrist contusion, although Hoiberg said an MRI exam showed nothing structurally wrong. Wade could play Thursday in the Bulls’ finale against the Celtics before the All-Star break.
Zipser is in a walking boot to protect his left ankle tendinitis so he won’t play Thursday, either. Mirotic has been battling back spasms.
The Raptors on Tuesday acquired power forward Serge Ibaka from the Magic in exchange for guard Terrence Ross and a first-round pick. Ibaka won’t play against the Bulls, but any talk of the Raptors pursuing Taj Gibson in advance of the Feb. 23 trade deadline will be gone.
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