As we coast over the halfway point and into the business side of the NBA season, there have been a couple of slumps; the Raptors have lost five straight and the Bulls are losing players.

FIRST D-ROSE, NOW BUTLER

The Bulls fell at home to the Clippers, 96-86 on Sunday afternoon. But even worse, they may have lost Jimmy Butler, too. Butler left the game and did not return after hyperextending his left elbow. He’ sscheduled for an MRI on Monday to find out more about the injury.

Via ESPN Chicago:

Jimmy Butler left Sunday’s 96-86 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after hyperextending his left elbow. He did not return to the game and is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday. 

The Butler setback is the latest for a Chicago Bulls squad that has been bitten hard by the injury bug in recent days. Taj Gibson missed Sunday’s game after spraining his left ankle in Friday night’s win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gibson left the United Center on Sunday wearing a walking boot and has already missed time this season because of the same injury. 

Derrick Rose is expected to be out for four to six weeks after having a meniscectomy on his right knee on Friday. Rose appears to be in good spirits after starting his rehab on Saturday and was at the United Center early as his rehab process continues.

CHRIS BOSH OUT OF HOSPITAL

This is great news.

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh has been discharged from hospital after a 7-day stay following the discovery that blood clots were found in his lungs.

Via ESPN:

All-Star forward Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat has been released from a South Florida hospital following a weeklong stay for treatment after blood clots were found on one of his lungs.

Bosh was hospitalized for just over a week and still will be monitored closely, but simply being released is a major step on his road back to health.

“That was his first goal,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s been very anxious to get out of there. It was driving him nuts.”

Spoelstra said Bosh was sent home Friday.

Bosh will miss at least the rest of the season.

MARKIEFF MORRIS CALLS OUT SUNS FANS

A professional sportsman calling out the fans is never the smartest thing to do, but Phoenix Suns’ Markieff Morris has done just that.

Via Bleacher Report:

“It felt like we had more San Antonio [fans] than we did Phoenix fans tonight,” Morris said, per Bright Side of the Suns’ Bryan Gibberman. “… We need the fans to win games. We need the energy from them to win a lot of games, and we need that every night, not just certain nights.”