Following a nail-biting victory against the Indiana Pacers, the Toronto Raptors are gearing up to secure their first in-season tournament win on home turf as they face off against the Chicago Bulls.
Likewise, the Bulls find themselves without a win in the ongoing in-season tournament and are eager to notch their first victory. Chicago’s season commenced on a less-than-ideal note, marked by disappointment, and they currently find themselves on a two-game losing skid, having claimed victory in just three of their last 10 matchups.
Bet on Bulls vs. Raptors
CHI +5.5
TOR -5.5
Raptors vs. Bulls odds
Raptors Moneyline Odds | -225 |
Bulls Moneyline Odds | +185 |
Over/Under | 216.5 points (over -110, under -110) |
Spread | Raptors -5.5 (-110) |
Time/Date | Nov. 24, 7:30 p.m. ET |
TV | Broadcast: TSN1/4 Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?) |
About the Raptors (7-8 SU, 8-7 ATS, 8-7 o/u)
The Raptors clinched a narrow victory against the Pacers, securing the win by a mere one-point margin. The game remained fiercely contested, with the outcome hanging in the balance until the final buzzer sounded. Pascal Siakam played a pivotal role in propelling the Raptors to success, delivering a standout performance with an explosive stat line of 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. Siakam showcased remarkable efficiency, shooting 54.2% from the field on 13-of-24 attempts. Dennis Schroder also made a significant impact, contributing 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. His shooting prowess was on full display, connecting on 62.5% of his shots, including a 40% success rate from beyond the arc on 2-of-5 attempts. In the crucial moments of the fourth quarter, Scottie Barnes once again demonstrated his ability to shine under pressure, recording 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals. His overall performance culminated in an impressive stat line of 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists.
While O.G. Anunoby may not have had a standout offensive display, his defensive prowess came to the forefront, particularly in the closing stages where he made crucial stops against Tyrese Haliburton. Anunoby concluded the game with 13 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds. Adding an unexpected but decisive contribution, Malachi Flynn stepped up in the fourth quarter, chipping in with 6 crucial points. His final stat line included 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, underscoring the collective effort that propelled the Raptors to this hard-fought victory.
To thwart the Chicago Bulls’ offensive prowess, the Toronto Raptors face the critical task of limiting the impact of primary scorers DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. In their previous matchup in October, DeRozan demonstrated his scoring proficiency with a formidable 33-point performance, highlighting the necessity for a focused defensive strategy against him. However, the defensive focus should extend beyond DeRozan and LaVine, necessitating a watchful eye on Coby White and Nikola Vucevic. White, currently on a scoring streak, has showcased his sharpshooting ability by scoring 20 or more points in his last two games, including a notable 11 three-pointers in that span. To secure success against the Bulls, the Raptors must deploy a comprehensive defensive approach that addresses the scoring threats posed by DeRozan, LaVine, White, and Vucevic alike.
About the Bulls (5-11 SU, 5-10-1 ATS, 7-9 o/u)
Following a lopsided defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Canadian standout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stellar performance with 40 points and 12 assists, the Chicago Bulls faced adversity as Zach LaVine was sidelined due to injury. In LaVine’s absence, the responsibility fell on DeMar DeRozan to lead the charge. However, DeRozan’s performance fell below expectations, contributing 25 points and 6 assists on a disappointing 6-of-17 (35.3%) shooting. Despite the setback, Nikola Vucevic recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 46.2% from the field and connecting on 40% of his attempts from beyond the arc (2-of-5). Coby White stepped up with 23 points and 5 assists, showcasing his scoring prowess on 8-of-17 (47.1%) shooting, including an impressive display from long range with 7 made three-pointers. The Bulls will aim to rebound from this defeat and regain their footing as they face the Toronto Raptors in their upcoming matchup.
To thwart the Toronto Raptors’ offensive threats, the Chicago Bulls face the critical task of effectively neutralizing the dynamic trio of Siakam, Schroder, and Barnes. All three have been playing good basketball as of late. Of particular note, Barnes demonstrated his versatility in the last game in October, recording an impressive triple-double with 22 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds. To secure a victory, the Bulls must implement a robust defensive strategy that prioritizes limiting the offensive output of all three. Successfully stifling this trio’s contributions will be a pivotal factor in the Bulls’ pursuit of success against the Raptors.
Scottie Barnes over 1.5 steals
+110
Injury Concerns
- Achiuwa (knee) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Bulls. Achiuwa sat out Wednesday’s close win over the Pacers
- Young (illness) is questionable for Friday’s tilt against the Bulls. Young has missed four straight games.
- Koloko (illness) will not play Wednesday against Indiana.
- LaVine (foot) is questionable to play Friday against the Raptors. LaVine has been dealing with foot soreness, and the injury was severe enough to keep him sidelined in Wednesday’s loss to the Thunder.
Betting Trends
- The Raptors have covered the over in their last 4 out of 5 games.
- The Bulls have covered the under in their last 3 out of 5 games.
- The Bulls have covered the over in their last two games.
Player Prop Trends
- Scottie Barnes has stolen the ball more than once in the last 2 games, averaging 1.7 steals for the season and averaging 3.5 steals in the last two games. His line is at +110 to steal the ball over 1.5 times.
- Dennis Schroder has scored 17 or more points in the last 4 games, averaging 16.9 points for the season. His line is at -115 to score over 16.5 points.
- Demar DeRozan has recorded 6 assists or more twice in the last 5 games, averaging 4.5 assists for the season. His line is -135 to record 5.5 assists or less.
Wagers to Consider
- SGP: Scottie to score 15+ points; dish 3+ assists; record 7+ rebounds; DeRozan to score 15+ points; Vucevic to record 7+ rebounds: +170. Scottie dropped a triple-double of 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds last game and averages 19.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists. DeRozan averages 21.3 points and scored 15+ points in his last 4 games. Vucevic averages 10.4 rebounds and grabbed 7+ rebounds in his last 7 games.
- Spread: TOR Raptors -5.5 points. There is a strong indication that they are poised to surpass this line. The Raptors enter this matchup with momentum, coming off a victory against the high-scoring Indiana Pacers, who currently boast the league’s highest-scoring offence. The potential absence of LaVine further tilts the odds in Toronto’s favour.