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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.Its going to have to be me to lead the charge when it comes to coming out with the right energy -- making sure were doing everything were supposed to do at both ends, Butler said Tuesday before the Bulls 113-88 win over the Trail Blazers in Portland.Chicago needs Butlers 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 Jazzs 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 thats our focus, things may not be as pretty as we want offensively, but thats 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. Cheap Jordan 12 Ovo For Sale . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Pink Air Jordan 12 Retro . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. http://www.cheapjordans12retro.com/ . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. Grey Air Jordan 12 Retro .ca. Hey Kerry, big fan of yours, just finished reading your book. I think that we all saw the Canucks/Flames line brawl just after puck drop. It was obvious that something was about to happen, even to the referees because the fourth lines were on to start. All Star Air Jordan 12 Retro . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. DENVER -- Madison Bumgarner gave the San Francisco Giants a much-needed lift. Bumgarner scattered four hits over seven innings, Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer and the Giants ended their longest losing streak in three years with a 5-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. "It was a big win for us," Bumgarner said. "I feel like that you have to think you have to be there every time out really, whether youre winning or losing." San Francisco had lost six straight, its longest skid since dropping seven in a row from June 26-July 1, 2010. The World Series champions had dropped seven straight road games. "Bumgarner has been consistent all year," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "Hes been consistent in every start. Hes a special talent. and he showed that today." Bumgarner (8-5) struck out five and walked three, improving to 4-1 with a 2.18 ERA in his last five starts. Sergio Romo pitched a one-hit ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances. Colorado was impressed with his offspeed pitches. "He kept us off guard with his command of that pitch throughout the game," Colorado manager Walt Weiss said. "It is what you expect from on the better pitchers in the league." Colorados Michael Cuddyer singled in the eighth off SSandy Rosario, extending his hitting streak to 27 games.dddddddddddd The streak is the longest in Rockies history and in the majors this season. He has reached base safely in a franchise-record 45 straight games. "I got a slider for the hit, and got it just under the glove of the shortstop," Cuddyer said. Drew Pomeranz (0-1), making his 2013 big league debut after being recalled from Triple A Colorado Springs, allowed four runs, seven hits and four walks in 4 1-3 innings. Buster Posey put the Giants ahead with a solo homer in the third. San Francisco extended its lead to 4-0 in the fifth on a run-scoring throwing error by first baseman Jordan Pacheco on Poseys grounder and Pences 13th homer. Carlos Gonzalez hit his 22nd homer of the season in the sixth. NOTES: The Giants avoided what would have been their fifth series sweep. ... San Francisco RHP Chad Gaudin (bruised right elbow) threw a bullpen session Saturday, and Bochy said he will be ready to be activated from the DL when he is eligible on July 6. ... 3B Nolan Arenado was limping after being hit in the left ankle by Bumgarner in the sixth but remained in the game. ... Dexter Fowler missed his fifth straight game with a sore right hand. Weiss said Fowler showed improvement and could be ready Tuesday. ' ' '