Published
Updated
Author
  • The Raptors are 7-19 and have the worst record in the Atlantic Division.
  • Chicago is 11-15 and has the second-worst record in the Central Division.
  • These teams last played on Jan. 30, with the Raptors claiming a 118-107 victory.

One of the games on tap from Monday night’s NBA slate features the Toronto Raptors taking on the Chicago Bulls. In a matchup of teams that are not expected to compete for a postseason berth, our Raptors vs Bulls prediction foresees the Bulls coming out on top.

Raptors Hope To End Four-Game Skid

Following a 122-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers earlier this month, the Raptors have dropped four straight games. This includes a 114-104 loss against the Miami Heat on Thursday night. Gradey Dick scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed four rebounds. Jakob Poeltl contributed 16 points off the bench while leading scorer RJ Barrett finished with a triple-double that included 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Things looked good for the Raptors early on, as they led by 16 points early in the second quarter. However, the Heat responded with a 33-10 outburst to take a 58-51 lead at intermission. Miami outshot Toronto 48.2 to 44.6 percent overall and 40.6 to 34.4 percent from the 3-point range. The Heat also won the rebounding battle by a 52-42 margin.

Bulls Look To Build On Double-Digit Win Over Hornets

Meanwhile, as has been the case the past several seasons, the Bulls are a mixed bag at best. Chicago enters this matchup following a 109-95 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. All five of the team’s starters reached double figures in that contest. Ayo Dosunmu scored a team-high 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the floor. He also tallied five assists and three rebounds.

Coby White pumped in 18 points, including two 3-pointers. Offseason acquisition Josh Giddey added 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. Leading 31-26 after the first 12 minutes of action, the Bulls increased their advantage to 15 points at the break and were never seriously threatened the rest of the way. Both teams shot less than 40 percent from the field and less than 30 percent from beyond the arc.

Raptors vs Bulls Prediction: Bulls Win Second Straight

Neither ball club has an overly impressive resume. Toronto has dropped seven of its last 10 games, while Chicago is .500 across its previous 10 contests. Additionally, both teams rank in the bottom third from a defensive standpoint. The Bulls have the fifth-highest scoring average in the association, so they should have enough firepower to knock off a Raptors squad without its second-leading scorer in the lineup (Scottie Barnes).

Leave a Comment