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Jimmy Butler Targets Pistons Game For Return

(CBS) Bulls first-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler's shoulder injury will keep him out of Saturday's Skills Challenge, but he is hoping to play limited minutes in Sunday's All-Star game.

"I think I'll be out there," Butler told the Chicago Tribune's KC Johnson in an interview. "I don't want to miss an All-Star game. This is my first one. They don't come easy in this league. That's for sure."

Butler was able to play through the pain this past Sunday against Orlando, but he aggravated the injury during Tuesday's game against Sacramento. The injury was severe enough to warrant an MRI on Wednesday, which confirmed a sprain.

Butler's team is riding a four-game winning streak heading into the break, so the bigger picture must be kept in mind. He's targeting the team's Feb. 20 matchup against the Pistons in Detroit for his return to regular action.

"That's the plan," Butler said. "I should be all right."

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