The Toronto Raptors try to add to their 2 game winning streak as they travel to Chicago tonight to take on the Bulls.
(19-12) Toronto Raptors @ (16-12) Chicago Bulls
Probable starting line-ups:
Toronto – PG – Kyle Lowry SG – DeMar DeRozan C – Bismack Biyombo SF – James Johnson PF – Luis Scola
Chicago – PG – Derrick Rose SG – Jimmy Butler C – Pau Gasol SF – Nikola Mirotic PF – Taj Gibson
Stats Leaders:
Toronto – PPG – DeMar DeRozan 22.7 RPG – Jonas Valanciunas 9.3 APG – Kyle Lowry 6.1
Chicago – PPG – Jimmy Butler 21.4 RPG – Pau Gasol 10.9 APG – Derrick Rose 5.2
Team Scoring: (with league ranking in parentheses)
Toronto – PF – 100.1 (20th) PA – 96.4 (4th)
Chicago – PF – 100.9 (18th) PA – 100.1 (15th)
Overview:
The Toronto Raptors have won 2 in a row after a 111-90 victory at the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. Starting shooting guard DeMar DeRozan led the way with 22 points. He also had 8 assists and 3 rebounds. He shot 7 of 14 from the field, 7 of 8 from the free throw line, and 1 of 4 from the 3 point line. Backup small forward Terrence Ross came off the bench to tally 18 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. He was 7 of 12 from the field and 4 of 7 from the 3 point line. Starting power forward Luis Scola notched a double-double as he poured in 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. He also had 2 assists and 2 blocks. He was 7 of 12 from the field and 3 of 4 from the 3 point line. Starting point guard Kyle Lowry netted 16 points and dished out 9 assists. He also had 2 rebounds. He shot 6 of 15 from the field, 2 of 2 from the free throw line, and 2 of 6 from the 3 point line. Starting center Bismack Biyombo also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. He also had 4 blocks. He was 5 of 7 from the field and 4 of 7 from the free throw line. The team shot 51.9% from the field, 73.7% from the free throw line, and 44.8% from the 3 point line. They attempted 19 free throws and made 14 of them. They made 13 of 29 shots from beyond the arc. They out-rebounded their opposition 44-38. They had 31 assists in the game. They had 10 blocks. They scored 10 fast break points and 42 points in the paint. They outscored the Bucks 35-11 in the 4th quarter. Tonight is their 18th road game of the season. They are 10-7 on the road thus far. After tonight they go home for a 3 game home stand. Their next game is Wednesday at home versus the Washington Wizards.
The Chicago Bulls have lost 4 of their last 5 games after dropping a 118-111 decision at the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. In defeat starting point guard Derrick Rose led the team in scoring with 25 points. He also had 5 rebounds and 4 assists. He shot 12 of 20 from the field and 1 of 1 from the free throw line. Starting power forward Nikola Mirotic contributed with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. He was 6 of 10 from the field, 7 of 11 from the free throw line, and 4 of 7 from the 3 point line. Starting center Pau Gasol tallied 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. He was 7 of 10 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free throw line. Starting shooting guard Jimmy Butler chipped in with 17 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. He shot 4 of 11 from the field, 7 of 8 from the free throw line, and 2 of 5 from the 3 point line. The team shot 53.8% from the field, 73.1% from the free throw line, and 38.1% from the 3 point line. They attempted 21 shots beyond the arc while making 8 of them. They were narrowly out-rebounded by the Mav 42-41. They had 7 blocks in the game. They turned the ball over 17 times. They only scored 8 fast break points. They allowed their opponent to score 44 points in the paint. They were outscored 28-22 in the final period. Tonight is their 17th home game of the season. They are 11-5 at home thus far. Tonight is the start of a 3 game home stand. Their next game is Wednesday at home versus the Indiana Pacers.
Tonight is the first meeting of the season between Toronto and Chicago. Last season the Bulls won all 4 meetings versus the Raptors and have won 5 in a row in the series. After tonight the 2 teams play more times: January 3rd 2016 at Toronto, February 19th 2016 at Chicago, and March 14th 2016 at Toronto.
Prediction:
The Raptors are only 1.5 games behind the East-leading Cavaliers while the Bulls currently are in the 7th spot in the East, 3 games back of Cleveland. I liked the way the Bulls have come out of the gate in their last 2 games and I think if they do that tonight they’ll grab a W at home.
Take the Bulls -1.5 (1.95) (Bet365)
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