Tonight is the final game of a 7 game home stand for the Toronto Raptors as they host the Chicago Bulls.
(32-32) Chicago Bulls @ (44-20) Toronto Raptors
Probable starting line-ups:
Chicago – PG – E’Twaun Moore SG – Jimmy Butler C – Nikola Mirotic SF – Mike Dunleavy PF – Taj Gibson
Toronto – PG – Kyle Lowry SG – DeMar DeRozan C – Jonas Valanciunas SF – James Johnson PF – Luis Scola
Stats Leaders:
Chicago – PPG – Jimmy Butler 2245 RPG – Pau Gasol 11.1 APG – Derrick Rose 4.9
Toronto – PPG – DeMar DeRozan 23.8 RPG – Jonas Valanciunas 9.1 APG – Kyle Lowry 6.4
Team Scoring: (with league ranking in parentheses)
Chicago – PF – 101.5 (19th) PA – 102.9 (16th)
Toronto – PF – 102.9 (11th) PA – 98.4 (5th)
Overview:
The Chicago Bulls have dropped 2 in a row after a 118-96 defeat at home versus the Miami Heat on Friday. Starting center Pau Gasol led the team with a double-double as he poured in 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. He also had 9 assists and 2 blocks. He shot 7 of 12 from the field, 1 of 2 from the free throw line, and 2 of 3 from the 3 point line. Starting shooting guard Justin Holiday tallied 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. He was 6 of 15 from the field, 1 of 1 from the free throw line, and 1 of 2 from the 3 point line. Starting power forward Taj Gibson netted 13 points. He also had 6 rebounds and 2 assists. He was 6 of 10 from the field and 1 of 1 from the free throw line. Backup point guard Aaron Brooks came off the bench to score 11 points. He also had 3 assists. He shot 4 of 12 from the field, 2 of 2 from the free throw line, and 1 of 3 from the 3 point line. The team shot 46.9% from the field, 80% from the free throw line, and 38.1% from the 3 point line. They attempted 15 free throws and made 12 of them. They were out-rebounded 51-45. They had 27 assists in the game. They turned the ball over 18 times. They scored 10 fast break points and 40 points in the paint. They led 58-54 at halftime but were outscored 64-38 in the 2nd half. Tonight is their 32nd road game of the season. They are 11-20 on the road thus far. They are 9-4 versus Atlantic division opponents this season. Tonight is the first game of a brief 2 game road trip. Their next game is Wednesday at the Washington Wizards.
The Toronto Raptors have won 3 straight games after a 112-104 overtime victory at home versus the Miami Heat on Saturday. Starting shooting guard DeMar DeRozan notched a double-double as he poured in 38 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He also had 7 assists and 2 steals. He shot 13 of 26 from the field and 12 of 15 from the free throw line. Starting center Jonas Valanciunas also produced a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He was 7 of 11 from the field and 6 of 6 from the free throw line. Starting point guard Kyle Lowry netted 16 points. He also had 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. He was 4 of 16 from the field, 6 of 6 from the free throw line, and 2 of 8 from the 3 point line. Starting small forward James Johnson contributed with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. He shot 5 of 7 from the field. The team shot 44% from the field, 84.2% from the free throw line, and 33.3% from the 3 point line. They made 32 of their 38 free throw attempts. They were narrowly out-rebounded 60-59. They had 10 steals in the game. They had 7 blocks. They scored 23 fast break points and 40 points in the paint. They outscored the Heat 15-7 in the extra period. Tonight is their 34th home game of the season. They are 26-7 at home thus far. They are 8-6 versus Central division opponents this season. Tonight is the final game of a 7 game home stand. They are 5-1 during the current home stand. Tonight is the first game of a back to back. They are 6-5 in the 2nd game this season. Tomorrow night they play at the Milwaukee Bucks.
Chicago was victorious in their first 3 meetings with Toronto this season. The Bulls have won the last 8 meetings with the Raptors. Tonight is the final meeting of the season between the 2 teams.
Prediction:
The Bulls continue to battle the injury bug this season and are currently on the outside looking in, 1 game behind the Pistons for the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs race. The Raptors are only 2.5 games behind the Cavs for the top spot in the East. The Bulls have owned the Raptors for a while now but I think the Raptors will finally get some revenge tonight.
Take the Raptors -9 (1.90) (Bet365)
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