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New York Knicks Catching A Break vs Chicago Bulls

By Kenneth Teape

Dec 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) smiles after a time out is called during the first half of the game against the Detroit Pistons at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) smiles after a time out is called during the first half of the game against the Detroit Pistons at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks will catch a break tonight with Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic both being ruled out for the game.

The New York Knicks will host the Chicago Bulls tonight at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have been reeling in recent weeks, as they are riding a three-game losing streak and have lost nine of their last 10 games. The Bulls have also been streaky in recent weeks, going 6-10 and dropping below .500 since December 13th.

That means that both teams could use a win tonight when they face off. Things may finally be in the Knicks favor, as they will be catching a major break.

Jimmy Butler, the Bulls best player, has been ruled out for the game tonight. Butler has been battling a fever and body aches all week. He scored only one point against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday in a loss, playing 29 minutes.

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Butler did not travel with the Bulls for their game on Tuesday against the Washington Wizards. Nikola Mirotic did travel to Washington D.C., but did not play in the game. He flew back to Chicago on Wednesday night and will also miss tonight’s matchup against the Knicks as Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg shared during shootaround Thursday.

"“Niko and Jimmy are back in Chicago,” Hoiberg said. “Jimmy’s starting to feel a little bit better, still not great. Niko is still pretty down and out, so the important thing is to continue to try and get those guys rest, keep them hydrated. Continue on the meds that they’re on and hopefully get them back soon.”“I think he was going to try to get in the gym today,” Hoiberg said. “Just to go in there and try to move around a little bit, hopefully get a little bit of a sweat. Just try to continue to make progress, and we’ll see about Saturday when we get back tomorrow.”"

Hoiberg is hopeful that Butler can get back into the lineup for the Bulls’ next game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night. He did not offer any update on Mirotic.

With two rotation players out of the lineup tonight, the Bulls will be turning to Rajon Rondo off the bench. Rondo had been removed from the rotation prior to the game against the Wizards but had to play with the injuries and Dwayne Wade resting.

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Even with Wade expecting to return to the lineup against the Knicks, Rondo will still get some minutes tonight.

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