The Chicago Bulls (3-0) take a trip across the border to play the Toronto Raptors (1-2) Monday. Tip-off from Scotiabank Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bulls at Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Chicago Bulls, with the help of offseason additions PG Lonzo Ball, SG DeMar DeRozan and SG Alex Caruso, have started the season undefeated.
They’ve taken down the Detroit Pistons twice and have a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, so despite their 3-0 start they haven’t exactly had the most pressing schedule. Nonetheless, they’ve handled business and will enter as favorites against the Raptors.
The Raptors are still without All-Star PF Pascal Siakam, giving top-five pick rookie SF Scottie Barnes ample opportunity to shine. The Raps have beaten the Boston Celtics and lost to the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks to start their season.
Bulls at Raptors odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bulls -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Raptors +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls -1.5 (-120) | Raptors +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 211.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Bulls at Raptors key injuries
Bulls
- PG Coby White (left shoulder) out
- C Nikola Vucevic (illness) questionable
Raptors
- PF Pascal Siakam (left shoulder) out
Bulls at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 114, Raptors 105
Money line
“LEAN” to the BULLS (-130) here as they’re the most talented and healthy side.
Their trio of offseason additions that have accompanied SG Zach LaVine, PF Patrick Williams and Vucevic have proven to be too much for teams to handle.
While the Bulls haven’t beaten any quality opponents, I wouldn’t count the Raptors as quality either without Siakam. The more talented side should come out on top, and that’s Chicago.
Against the spread
BET on the BULLS -1.5 (-120) as the best value in this game.
The Bulls are surging with LaVine averaging the 12th-most points in the NBA. He’s been terrific, and like with Donavon Mitchell and the Utah Jazz, a true contender can be made with the right players around a score-first guard.
LaVine is going make the Bulls a top team in the East with Caruso, DeRozan, Vucevic, Williams and others by his side. With the Bulls 3-0 against the spread and this being their smallest amount yet, I expect them to make it 4-0.
While the Raptors have quality youth, starting just one player with more than four years of experience should, as they’ve seen, yield inconsistent performances.
With that in mind, the Bulls are the safer play on the spread.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the OVER 212.5 (-112) as the better play on the total. It’s also a little juiced, giving some reassurance the sportsbooks feel it’s also the better bet.
With Barnes and SF OG Anunoby averaging a combined 34 points per game, the Raptors are starting to figure it out. Those two players are really the question mark with the Over hitting.
The two forwards will be asked to shoulder much of the scoring load, and against a Bulls side that gave up 26 to SF Brandon Ingram, I expect one or both to get loose.
Given Chicago’s offensive talent, they should top 105 and even near 110.
The Celtics, Mavs and Wiz all struggled against the Raptors’ stingy defense. Chicago will put their defensive prowess to the test as arguably the best offense they’ve faced so far this season.
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