The Toronto Raptors (17-21) look to snap a four-game losing skid Sunday with a visit to play the Chicago Bulls (16-20) at United Center. Tip-off will be at 9 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Raptors-Bulls odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
The Raptors have been undermanned and overwhelmed with three key starters in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols. They’re coming off a 114-104 loss to the Charlotte Hornets Saturday and will play their third game since returning from the All-Star break Thursday. Toronto has slipped to 10th in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls, 11th in the Eastern Conference, have lost back-to-back games and four of their last five dating back to late February. They lost 127-105 to the Philadelphia 76ers and 101-90 to the Miami Heat in their first two games back from the break, but they were off Saturday.
This is the first game of just two head-to-head meetings between the Raptors and Bulls this season.
Raptors at Bulls: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Raptors +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Bulls -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Raptors +3.5 (-110) | Bulls -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 229.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Raptors at Bulls: Key injuries
Raptors
- C Chris Boucher (mouth) questionable
- PG Fred VanVleet (health and safety protocols) out
- SG Malachi Flynn (health and safety protocols) out
- SF OG Anunoby (health and safety protocols) out
- PF Pascal Siakam (health and safety protocols) out
Bulls
- SF Garrett Temple (ankle) out
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Raptors at Bulls: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Bulls 117, Raptors 111
Money line (ML)
The shorthanded Raptors gave the Atlanta Hawks a tough fight in a 121-120 loss Thursday but they fell right back to Earth against the Hornets Saturday. They trailed 44-24 after the first quarter and never really made a game of it despite winning two of the final three quarters.
Toronto was dealt another blow with Boucher, the team’s fifth-leading scorer suffering an injury. The Raptors shot just .326 from 3-point range Saturday. They won the turnover battle but were outrebounded.
The BULLS (-160) need to be backed with a money line wager. They’re fifth in the NBA in 3-point defense. The Raptors, already overly reliant on the 3-ball with 40.4 attempts per game, have upped that number to 42.3 over their four-game losing skid.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The BULLS -3.5 (-110) are a better bet against the spread, where they’ll need to win by 4 or more points in order to cover.
Toronto is 2-2 ATS during its losing skid, but one of those covers was on a line of 8.5 points. This is a very manageable number for a Bulls team 20-16 ATS for the season.
Over/Under (O/U)
Bet UNDER 229.5 (-105). The Raptors’ COVID issues have deteriorated both the offense and defense, but the potential additional absence of Boucher would count more against the offense Sunday.
There’s just not enough NBA talent left to put up the required points to hit such a high number.
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Also see:
- Trade rumors intel (Hoops Hype)
- 11 offseason signings that look like bargains now (Hoops Hype)
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