Game Preview: Raptors vs. Bulls
The Toronto Raptors, currently standing sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-22, will face off against the struggling Chicago Bulls, who sit at 10th in the same conference with a record of 24-27. The matchup is scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST in Toronto, where the Raptors are favored by 8.5 points according to BetMGM, with a combined point total of 226.5 predicted for the game.
Team Performance
The Raptors boast a solid 22-14 record against conference rivals and are noted for their strong defensive play, allowing an average of just 112.5 points per game while limiting opponents to a 46.2% shooting percentage. In contrast, the Bulls have had mixed results in Eastern Conference battles, holding a 16-19 record. Despite their struggles, Chicago excels in fast break points, averaging 17.9 per game, with Ayo Dosunmu leading the charge at 3.5.
Offensive Insights
From an offensive standpoint, the Raptors possess a field-goal percentage of 47.2% this season, only a slight drop from the 47.4% shooting they allow to rival teams. The Bulls, for their part, have successfully made an average of 14.6 three-pointers, surpassing the Raptors’ average of 12.7 allowed.
Key Players
Highlight performances come from Scottie Barnes of the Raptors, who is averaging an impressive 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 blocks. The Bulls are led by Josh Giddey, who is contributing 18.6 points per game along with 8.6 rebounds. Over the last ten games, Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.2 points for Toronto.
Recent Performance
In their last ten matches, both teams share a record of 5–5. The Raptors have been scoring an average of 113.5 points while their opponents have slightly edged them with 114.3 points allowed. On the other hand, the Bulls have been slightly more productive, averaging 116.8 points but giving up 117.9 points to their competitors.
Injury Report
In terms of injuries, the Raptors will not have Jakob Poeltl available due to back issues. The Bulls are facing more significant injury concerns with Noa Essengue out for the season due to a shoulder injury, while Zach Collins is out with a toe injury. Julian Phillips is day-to-day with a wrist injury and Giddey is also listed as day-to-day with a hamstring issue.
Conclusion
As the game approaches, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how this matchup unfolds, particularly with the stakes of playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference on the line.
