The Toronto Raptors host the Chicago Bulls tonight at Scotiabank Arena in a matchup of Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls.
At 5-4, Toronto has survived a tough early schedule, but injuries are threatening to derail that solid start. Pascal Siakam (groin) limped off in Friday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, while Fred VanVleet (back) has missed the last three games.
While Chicago is still finding its feet, DeMar DeRozan looked in peak form in a 46-point explosion in a 123-119 loss to the Boston Celtics last time out.
Find out more in our free Bulls vs Raptors NBA betting picks and predictions for November 6.
Bulls vs Raptors best odds
Bulls vs Raptors picks and predictions
Though it’s no longer strange to see DeMar DeRozan wearing another team’s jersey, his connection with the Toronto Raptors will always run deep. His trips to Toronto as a visiting player have featured some tough moments (not least, giving up the game-clinching turnover to Kawhi Leonard in February 2019), but tonight presents a perfect opportunity to steal the show.
DeRozan will have to navigate the hosts’ long-armed defense and a likely one-on-one battle with O.G. Anunoby, but he found top gear in Boston, picking apart one of the NBA’s best defenses and making 13 of his 23 shots.
With Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic providing the complementary scoring, and capable of taking over for stretches, the Bulls have the type of well-balanced offense needed to unsettle Toronto.
In contrast, the Raptors’ halfcourt offense has looked predictably clunky this season, and removing Siakam from the mix will make it even tougher to create good looks, especially with Alex Caruso and Ayo Dosunmu patrolling the perimeter for Chicago.
That will nudge Scottie Barnes into a bigger role. He answered the call in a do-it-all fourth-quarter performance in Dallas but it would be a major boost for the hosts if VanVleet is cleared to play. Either way, turnovers and transition baskets (where the hosts excel) will be critical to keep Toronto afloat.
With the Raptors undermanned, I like the Bulls to take advantage and grind out a victory here.
My best bet: Bulls moneyline (+110 at PointsBet)
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Bulls vs Raptors spread analysis
Even with homecourt advantage for the Raptors, the oddsmakers see little to choose between these two teams, making Toronto the slightest of favorites. As their records show, both have been muddling through up-and-down seasons so far and it’s hard to argue with the idea that this could be a one-possession game.
But I expect the Bulls — who had won back-to-back games prior to the loss to the Celtics — to have the edge in offensive firepower, even with point guard Lonzo Ball still sidelined.
Chicago is 12-3 against the spread in the last 15 meetings between these teams in Toronto and 6-1 ATS in its last seven road games against a team with a winning home record. To pad those records here, the Bulls will need more from their bench, who provided just 15 points in Boston.
Despite their rough injury luck, the Raptors will be no pushovers. Anunoby (27 points in Dallas) has been waiting to step into a bigger scoring role, while Chris Boucher (12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds) has been a difference maker off the bench.
If this comes down to a tight fourth-quarter battle, look for DeRozan’s clutch shot-making and his ability to get to the free throw line consistently to be the X-factors.
Bulls vs Raptors Over/Under analysis
Sunday games often have a different feel, but neither team enters on the second leg of a back-to-back set and we should see a fast-paced contest. The Raptors are averaging 113 points per game, while the Bulls are scoring 112.
That suggests the Over is the way to go, even though it may take Toronto some time to adjust to Siakam’s absence and Nick Nurse will be re-jigging his rotation on the fly.
The stats back that up. The Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Toronto and 4-1 in the Raptors’ last five games. The Bulls have scored 116 points or more five times this season.
Much will depend on the bench units tonight — both can be streaky and unpredictable. Otto Porter Jr. should see a spike in minutes to provide extra spacing, while Boucher is coming off a 17-point night on Friday. A Goran Dragic revenge game, anyone?
Bulls vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors are 1-5 ATS in their last six Sunday games. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Raptors.
Bulls vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Sunday, November 6, 2022 |
| Tip-off: | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBCS-CHI, Sportsnet |
Bulls vs Raptors key injuries
