Per the Trail Blazers' official public relations X account, at least four Portland players have already been ruled out of a Friday night NBA Cup road clash against the Golden State Warriors, who are now right ahead of them as the West's No. 8 seed with a 9-8 record — thanks to their own two-game losing streak.

While the Chicago Bulls are relieved to sit two games above .500 once again, the celebration was tinged with a queasiness that comes from one too many close calls.