The Chicago Bulls are back in action at home for a matchup with the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. The 41-28 Bulls are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference while the 40-31 Raptors are in seventh, and this game will have big playoff implications.
The last time these two faced off the Raptors beat Chicago on Feb. 3 by seven points. Nikola Vucevic scored a game-high 30 points, while DeMar DeRozan had 28 points and Zach LaVine had 15.
The Raptors are making a late-season push, coming off an overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers. They have won six of their last 10 and are 2.5 games behind the Bulls in the East.
On Monday night, though, Toronto will be without OG Anunoboy (hamstring) and Malachi Flynn (thumb). Fred Vanvleet (knee) is day-to-day.
For the Bulls, Lonzo Ball (knee) is out while Patrick Williams makes his long awaited return.
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors betting odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Bulls are four-point favorites to take home a victory tonight (as well as a -2-0 favorite on the money line). The Raptors are +165 on the moneyline.
The over-under in this contest is 220.5, which you can get at -110 odds for the over or the under.
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction
Chicago is coming off a loss against the Phoenix Suns and have dropped eight of their last 10. Six of their eight losses were to teams with a .600 or better win percentage, though. In their loss against the Suns, Chicago allowed Devin Booker to dice their defense up, scoring and creating at will, which has been a consistent issue as of late for the Bulls’ defense.
The Bulls are on a downward spiral that’s left them a team with more questions than answers. The team isn’t on the same page on defense and their offense has regressed from its dynamic efficiency that put them on top of the East earlier in the year. A loss to a Raptors team coming off a back-to-back could deflate Chicago ahead of their playoff run. They will need to crack down on their rotations and offensive discipline in order to get a win tonight.
That said, we’re taking Chicago -4 and over 220.5 points.
Bulls 116, Raptors 110.
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors TV channel
The Bulls-Raptors game can be viewed locally on NBC Sports Chicago and TSN for Canadian fans. Tip off is set for 8:00 p.m. EST.
Chicago Bulls schedule and upcoming games
The Bulls will travel from Chicago to Milwaukee for a matchup against the Bucks before bouncing back and forth:
- Mar. 22 at Milwaukee
- Mar. 24 vs New Orleans
- Mar. 26 at Cleveland
- Mar. 28 at Knicks