Jimmy Butler and the Chicago Bulls travel to play DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Action begins at 7:30 pm ET on Monday, Mar. 14 and can be seen on CSC and SNT.
The Raptors come into this game on a high note after topping the Heat 112-104 on Saturday. DeRozan was a key piece, recording his third double-double this season with 38 points and 10 rebounds. The Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off a blowout 118-96 loss against that same Heat squad on Friday. Pau Gasol played well, accounting for his 38th double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Over the last five games, DeRozan has been playing at a high level for the Raptors, averaging 30.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals.
Toronto should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. They rank fifth in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.0%). Meanwhile, the Bulls force the fewest turnovers in the league (11.2%).
The Bulls have won all three contests against the Raptors this season, including a 116-106 victory in their last matchup. Doug McDermott was the game’s top overall scorer with 30 points.
The Raptors enter the game with records of 44-20 Straight Up (SU) and 34-29-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 44-20 SU and 34-29-1 ATS versus the Eastern Conference. Toronto is very careful and attentive with the ball, averaging the third-fewest turnovers per game at only 12.4.
In the other locker room, the Bulls head into the game with records of 26-37 ATS and 32-31 SU. Despite having a winning record against the Eastern Conference, Chicago is unsuccessful ATS in those games with a record of 12-19. The Bulls convert their three-pointers at a high percentage, ranking fourth in the league at .368. The Bulls have controlled the glass with an average of 47.5 rebounds per game, second in the league.
Chicago beat Toronto in their most recent meeting this season, moving its SU record against the Raptors to 8-2 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings. The Bulls also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 8-2.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor
Notes
Chicago’s offense and Toronto’s defense are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per game and points allowed per game respectively. Chicago scores an average of 0.0 points per game, while Toronto allows 0.0 points per game.
Chicago and Toronto are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per away game and points allowed at home respectively. Chicago scores an average of 0.0 points on the road, while Toronto allows 0.0 points at home on average.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Toronto Raptors are an outstanding 34-3. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Chicago Bulls have a losing record of 10-18.
The Toronto Raptors have a losing 10-17 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Chicago Bulls are 22-14 when they hit triple digits.
The Raptors have the fifth-best offensive rating in the NBA (108.1). The Bulls are also in the top half of the league based on their defensive rating of 103.2 (ranked 11th).
The Chicago Bulls average 100.1 possessions per game and 1.015 points per possession. The Toronto Raptors earn fewer possessions with 95.2, but they score more points with 1.081.
The Toronto Raptors average an effective field goal percentage of 50.5% this season. The Chicago Bulls have an underachieving record of 3-14 when opponents have an EFF% of 50.5% or greater.
On average, the Chicago Bulls make 22.6 assists per game and the Toronto Raptors make 18.5. Chicago is ranked 11th, while Toronto is ranked 29th.
Toronto makes an average of 5.1 blocks per game (ranked 13th). Chicago ranks higher in blocks with 5.7 (ranked sixth).
The Chicago Bulls are the NBA’s best defensive rebounding team. The Toronto Raptors rank 20th in offensive rebounding.
Chicago makes an average of 5.9 steals per game. Toronto has a winning 33-12 record when it allows at least 5 steals.
