DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors travel to play Jimmy Butler and the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, Feb. 19 and can be seen on CSC and TSN.
The Bulls are expecting a better outcome after their 113-90 loss to the Hawks in their last matchup. Despite the loss, Pau Gasol earned his 30th double-double this season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Raptors, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 117-112 loss against the Timberwolves in their last game. DeRozan had a team-high 35 points.
Over the last five games, Gasol has taken his game to another level for the Bulls, averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 1.8 three-pointers.
Trips to the foul line may prove key for the Raptors in this one. They’re ranked fourth in the league in free throw attempt rate (32.6), while Chicago is among the best at keeping opponents off of the charity stripe (ranking third by allowing a free throw attempt rate of 24.2).
The Bulls have emerged victorious in both games against the Raptors this year, escaping with a narrow 115-113 victory the last time these teams met. Butler was the game’s top overall scorer with 42 points.
The Bulls come into this game 27-26 Straight Up (SU) and 20-33 Against The Spread (ATS). While they boast a record of against Eastern Conference opponents at home, they have struggled to beat the spread in those same games, going 9-17. The rebounding edge goes to the Bulls in this matchup, who average a league-best 47.9 rebounds per game. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, opponents have consistently had their shots rejected by the Bulls, who rank fifth in the league in blocks per game with 5.9.
In the other locker room, the Raptors have 35-17 SU and 28-23-1 ATS records. Toronto has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record. The Raptors allow just 97.4 points per game, ranking them fifth in the league.
Chicago beat Toronto in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record to 8-2 over the Raptors in their last 10 meetings. With an 8-2 record, the Bulls also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Tor
Notes
On average, Toronto scores 101.8 points per game (ranked 15th). Chicago ranks 18th in points allowed per game with 102.0.
Toronto ranks 14th in points per away game with 100.1 points, while Chicago ranks ninth in points allowed at home with 98.7.
The Chicago Bulls have a winning record (20-3) when their opponents score fewer than 100 points this season. The Toronto Raptors are 9-8 when they don’t hit triple digits.
The Chicago Bulls have an underachieving 7-22 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Toronto Raptors are 26-9 when they hit triple digits.
The Bulls have an offensive rating of 101.2 (ranked 26th). The Raptors rank ninth for their defensive rating of 101.9.
Chicago averages 100.0 possessions per game, scoring 1.012 points on each possession. While Toronto averages fewer possessions per game with 95.3, the team scores more points per possession with 1.069.
Toronto has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.0%. Chicago is a subpar 3-11 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Chicago Bulls make 21.9 assists per game and the Toronto Raptors make 18.4. Chicago is ranked 14th, while Toronto is ranked 28th.
Chicago ranks near the top of the league in blocking at fifth (5.9 blocks per game). Toronto is ranked 12th, with 5.3 blocks per game.
Chicago is ranked sixth in offensive rebounding. Toronto ranks 17th in defensive rebounds.
Toronto averages 8.3 steals per game (ranked ninth). Chicago is 12-15 when allowing at least 8 steals.
