The Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Scotiabank Arena. Here’s a Raptors vs. Bulls Prediction. This article will include a Raptors vs Bulls Pick.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
The Bulls have made the playoffs once since the 2017-18 season and begin the Tiago Splitter era. The Bulls have won fewer than 40 games in each of their last three seasons.
The Bulls have a lot of new leadership from the coaching staff to the front office overall. The roster drafted Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain, while adding Norman Powell and Buddy Hield. Josh Giddey remains the primary creator, and he has some actual talent to work with this season. This is the first year of a genuine rebuild in Chicago, and there are sure to be growing pains. However, there are pieces in place, and the Bulls will have moments where they show real potential. There may not be a lot of winning this season, but the Bulls will likely be a money maker due to the lack of respect from oddsmakers.
Check out tonight’s game between the Timberwolves and Heat.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Raptors made the playoffs last season and enter year four under coach Darko Rajakovic. The Raptors haven’t made the playoffs two straight seasons since 2019-20.
The addition of Kawhi Leonard puts the Raptors in a new light, as he’s coming off a fantastic season with the Clippers and helped this franchise win a title nearly a decade ago. Pairing the Klaw with Scottie Barnes gives the Raptors one of the best 1-2 defensive punches in the NBA. Collin Murray-Boyles is coming off a fine rookie season, and RJ Barrett appears to have found a home. The Raptors were sneaky good last season and should be even better with these additions. It’s an improved East, but Toronto will be in the mix and will be a team nobody wants to see come playoff time.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The home team has won each of the Raptors’ last 12 games.
- The Bulls have lost each of their last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in each of their last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Raptors’ last three games at Scotiabank Arena.
- The Raptors have lost each of their last four Wednesday games as home favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in four of the Raptors’ last five games.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five home openers against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Raptors’ last four season openers as favorites have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Bulls’ last four games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Scottie Barnes was the only player in the league to have recorded 25+ rebounds in a game last season.
- Jamal Shead recorded 75 games with 3+ assists last season – most of any player in the league.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Matas Buzelis was one of only three qualified players in the league to have averaged at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks last season.
- Josh Giddey was one of only three players in the league to have led his team in points, rebounds, and assists last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Raptors suffered the most losses when leading by a margin of 10+ points through Q3 last season (4).
- The Raptors ranked T1st in the league for Q3 win percentage last season (58.5%).
- The Chicago Bulls conceded the highest score in a single game last season (157 points @ 76ers).
- The Bulls were the only team with six players to have averaged 15.0 points per game across 25+ regular season appearances last season (Coby White, Josh Giddey, Nikola Vucevic, Ayo Dosunmu, Matas Buzelis, Collin Sexton).
Raptors vs Bulls Injury Report
The Bulls will be without Nic Claxton. Jordan Hawkins and Daiyln Swain are doubtful. Tobe Awaka, Zach Collins, Leonard Miller, and Isaac Okoro are probable.
Nate Bittle is out for the Raptors with a foot injury.
Raptors vs Bulls Prediction
A thick number for a season opener, but the Raptors should be solid from the start due to their defensive roots. This team should defend its tail off. The Bulls have far more questions, and they enter the season as one of the most banged-up teams in the league. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game gets ugly. I’ll lay the points with the Raptors, but there are far better options out there on a stacked NBA card Wednesday night.