The Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls are hoping their mid-season matchup is a preview to an Eastern Conference finals come playoff time. Both teams entered 2014 with high expectations after big offseasons after big free agency gets and have seemingly lived up to them approaching the All-Star break. As they battle one another for the lead in the Central Division, the Cavaliers and Bulls meet before both teams take a break.

As of now, Chicago has a half game lead over the Cavaliers for control in the Central Division. The Bulls are riding high on a healthy Derrick Rose along with Pau Gasol returning to All-Star form alongside players like Nikola Mirotic and Jimmy Butler. The Bulls will be at a loss though as Butler has gone down with a shoulder injury. The shooting guard is expected to undergo an MRI while getting pulled from the All-Star game. He currently leads the team with 20.4 points per game. The Bulls are 3-1 this season without Butler because Gasol is making up for his absence. He has 13 double-doubles in a road while shooting 50.0 percent. He is averaging 22.7 points and 14.3 rebounds with Butler off the court. The Bulls will also be without Kirk Hinrich and Mike Dunleavy.

The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be putting their differences behind them beating the Miami Heat on Wednesday. There had been reported tension over LeBron James and Kevin Love regarding a tweet from the veteran to the forward, but that was forgotten about when the team won over Miami. Love was injured in the game suffering a corneal abrasion after getting poked in the eye. It is unclear if he will be available for Thursday's game.

James led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds against the Heat while being one of seven players in double digits during the game. Against Chicago he is averaging 31.7 points while getting 36 against them earlier in the year. Without Butler he could be in for a big night. 

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