By John Dempsy, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO)  Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis will be returning to the lineup tonight after slugging and seriously injuring his teammate Nikola Mirotic.   Portis is now finished serving the eight game suspension the team issued after the incident in practice on October 17th.

Coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters  it will be normal if Portis is nervous tonight against the Raptors in Toronto.

“Coming back from an eight game layoff, suspension.  I’m sure there will be some nerves going out there, being his first game of the season.  There’s always nerves associated with that.   The way to combat that is go out and play with energy and do the things that have made him a successful player.”

Hoiberg said Portis will be the backup power forward behind Lauri Markkanen, as the Bulls play the Raptors in Toronto.

Mirotic is free of the concussion symptoms he had after Portis punched him and broke his jaw.    His representatives have reportedly told Bulls management that Mirotic never wants to play with Portis again, and will demand that either he or Portis be traded.

Tonight’s Bulls game in Toronto can be heard at 6:00 with the pregame show on WLS-AM 890.

@ 2017 WLS-AM News