When the Cavs host the Bulls for the first game of their Eastern Conference NBA Cup matchup, they'll be without a key role player.

It’s a quiet night Thursday in the Association, as there’s just one game on the card with the Dallas Mavericks visiting the Jazz. Dallas is coming off a disappointing 130-127 loss to the Warriors despite having a seven-point lead during the game’s final four minutes.

We’ve hit the ground running this NBA season and are well on our way to a profitable year. But I shouldn’t count my chickens before they hatch. The NBA Cup’s group play kicked off Tuesday night, but we’re back to regular programming with only a single game tonight.