The Toronto Raptors will play their third game in four nights when they visit the Chicago Bulls and even though wins have been tough to come by, they’ll have a good chance to get back into the win column tonight.
Toronto is just a 1.5-point road underdog in this matchup against a Chicago team that has just one win in its last eight games. My Raptors vs. Bulls predictions highlight a player prop for a guy who could be a catalyst to Toronto’s success tonight.
That and more NBA picks for this Eastern Conference matchup set to tip off at 8:00 pm ET at the United Center in Chicago, on Friday, February 28.
Raptors vs Bulls prediction
My Raptors pick
Jakob Poeltl Over 10.5 points (-120 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
The Jak Attack is back!
Jakob Poeltl returned to the Toronto Raptors lineup on Wednesday, and while it wasn’t the result he and his teammates were looking for (a 111-91 loss to the Indiana Pacers), it means the team is approaching full health and capable of playing its best basketball. And Poeltl sure could be a big help tonight against the Chicago Bulls.
The loss was the Raptors fourth in the last five games but to be fair the schedule has been pretty brutal. Not just in the level of competition, but with the amount of games as well. This will be Toronto’s third game in four nights. So, having a guy like Poeltl back and extending the bench is important. Plus, he’s a tough matchup for Chicago.
The Bulls are going through their own spiral at the moment, having lost seven of their last eight games, and are really searching for an identity since trading Zach LaVine. You’d think getting rid of LaVine would mean you improve on defense at least. Well, not for the Bulls. They have the third-worst defensive rating in the NBA over this eight-game stretch.
On top of that, defending opposing bigs has been a problem all season long. Chicago ranks dead last in the NBA in opponent points in the paint.
To make matters worse, the Bulls are dealing with a slew of injuries. Patrick Williams is already out, Nikola Vucevic is doubtful, and even backup center Jalen Smith is questionable.
Poeltl enters this matchup averaging 14.1 points per game this season and still managed to put up 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting in limited action against the Pacers and he should be able to out-muscle the banged-up Bulls down low.
Poeltl’s point total is sitting at just 10.5 for this matchup, likely due to a potential minutes restriction. But he played 24 minutes last time out and should have an even longer leash tonight. Hell, with this matchup I’d like the Over even with a minutes restriction and 15+ points at +260 is intriguing.
Raptors vs Bulls same-game parlay
Jakob Poeltl Over 10.5 points
Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
Coby White Under 19.5 points
The Bulls have also struggled with rebounding this season, and that was before all of these injuries. Chicago ranks 28th in rebounding rate and 29th in opponent rebounds per game. Scottie Barnes averages 7.8 rebounds per game this season and his rebounding total for this one is sitting at 7.5. He has hauled down eight or more boards in four of his last six games and grabbed 10 rebounds the only other time he matched up against Chicago this season.
Let’s close this SGP out with Coby White to go Under 19.5 points in this matchup. White hasn’t been immune to the Bulls struggles. White averages 18 points per game this season but that has dipped to 12.8 over his last six games, where he has topped this number just once and includes him shooting 25% from 3-point range.
This number is elevated because the Raptors have struggled again lately, but that has been against much stronger competition than the Bulls.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Bulls odds
Raptors vs Bulls live odds
Raptors vs Bulls opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +1.5 | Chicago -1.5
- Moneyline: Toronto +100 | Chicago -120
- Over/Under: Over 234 | Under 234
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Raptors vs Bulls spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors opened this Eastern Conference matchup as 1.5-point road underdogs, and that's where the spread remains as of Friday afternoon.
- The Raptors have been a solid bet all season long going 34-24-1 ATS while the Bulls have been much more costly to bettors at 28-30-1 ATS.
- The total has seen a little more action with the number moving down from 234 to 232.5.
- I'm staying away from the total here but if I had to lean one way it would be toward the Over. both teams are in the bottom quarter of the NBA in defensive rating and both play at a high tempo.
Raptors vs Bulls trend
The Raptors have hit the Moneyline in 10 of their last 20 games for +11.20 Units and a 51% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Bulls.
How to watch Raptors vs Bulls
| Location | United Center, Chicago, Illinois |
| Date | Friday, 2-28-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN, CHSN |
Raptors vs Bulls latest injuries
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