via Stats, LLC
SALT LAKE CITY -- Finding a way to impact games has never been a question for Jimmy Butler. Still, he is unlocking a whole new level with his skills this season.
Guarding Butler is quickly becoming a defensive nightmare for a host of NBA teams. The sixth-year guard is averaging 28.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 3.4 steals over the past five games and has Chicago (7-4) climbing the Eastern Conference ladder. The Bulls are riding a three-game winning streak heading into a Thursday night game against the Utah Jazz.
Butler is a major driving force behind the surge. His fingerprints can be found everywhere on both ends of the court as he has taken visible ownership of the team early in the season.
"It's going to have to be me to lead the charge when it comes to coming out with the right energy -- making sure we're doing everything we're supposed to do at both ends," Butler said Tuesday before the Bulls' 113-88 win over the Trail Blazers in Portland.
Chicago needs Butler's efforts, as point guard Rajon Rondo is recovering from a sprained ankle. Rondo did not play against the Blazers and did not practice Wednesday. His status remains day-to-day heading into Salt Lake City.
Jerian Grant has fared well so far in relief of Rondo, scoring a season-high 18 points and recording a career-high five steals against Portland. On defense, he limited high-scoring Blazers guard Damian Lillard to just 19 points on 7-of-22 shooting.
Utah (7-5) is still dealing with injuries to a couple of starters, forcing the Jazz to dig deep into their bench early in the season.
Derrick Favors is not expected to play against Chicago after playing only 22 minutes in the Jazz's 102-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. Favors did not play in the fourth quarter after experiencing soreness in his left knee. He missed the season opener and played under a minutes restriction for several games while dealing with problems in the same knee.
George Hill and Rodney Hood also did not play against the Grizzlies. Hill remains day-to-day as he continues to recover from a sprained right thumb. Hood is expected to return to action after missing a game because of an undisclosed illness.
One thing that keeping the Jazz going even while they battle the injury bug is solid defense. Utah is holding opponents to 93.8 points per game while allowing teams to shoot just 43.9 percent from the field. The Jazz are forcing 12.8 turnovers per contest and blocking 5.3 shots per game.
"Anybody that sets foot on that court can guard," Utah coach Quin Snyder said. "If that's our focus, things may not be as pretty as we want offensively, but that's at least something we can pretty much make a constant and (we can) have stability by defending."
Utah and Chicago split the season series a year ago. The Jazz beat the Bulls 105-96 in overtime in Salt Lake City on Feb. 1 behind 27 points from Gordon Hayward.
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