Raptors vs Bulls Preview

For Canadian sports betting enthusiasts, the Raptors (16-25) are coming off a huge win over the Miami Heat last night, a game where they stormed out to a 78-43 lead at the half, on their way to a 121-97 win. This is the third time Chicago and Toronto have hooked up this season – they’re 1-1.

Raptors vs Bulls Details

• Date: Jan. 18, 2024
• Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
• Location: Scotiabank Arena (Toronto, ON)
• How to watch: TV: Sportsnet; Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto

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Raptors Insights

Yesterday the Raptors pulled the trigger on a F Pascal Siakam trade – dealing him to the Indiana Pacers, in a three-team deal that netted them F Bruce Brown,  F Jordan Nwora, G Kira Lewis Jr. and three first-round picks – two in 2024 and one in 2026. Debate amongst yourself if you think the Raptors got full value for that trade. But at least it cleared up the team’s direction, a debate point since the start of the season. Do you load up with a roster that includes Siakam and OG Anunoby (traded to the New York Knicks Dec. 30) or tear it down and build around F Scottie Barnes for next season and beyond. Well, now we have our answer.

The Raptors last night played a great game, beating the sixth-place Heat 121-97, moving the ball around like we’ve rarely seen all season, shooting 52.6% from 3-point range, with a FG% of 51.1. They outrebounded the Heat 45-37. That win snapped a four-game losing streak.

So it was a post-Siakam statement game last night – without C Jakob Poeltl too, who remains out of the lineup with an ankle issue. Tonight they’ll again come back with another smallish lineup, with 6-foot-8, 225-pound Thaddeus Young starting at centre in Poeltl’s spot. Nwora, Lewis Jr. and Brown are all listed as “day-to-day” with injuries.

Bulls Insights

Chicago (19-23, ninth in the Eastern Conference) has had a rough season and has a lot of injury issues coming into tonight’s game. According to ESPN this morning, F Dalen Terry (knee) is “probable” for tonight, C Andre Drummond (lower back spasms) is “probable”, SG Ayo Dosunmu (shoulder) is “questionable” and PF Patrick Williams (ankle) is “questionable”. The Bulls are coming off a 109-91 loss Monday to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where they shot just 28.1 per cent from 3PT range.

C Nikola Vucevic had 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists against the Cavs, and has had a solid season – 16.8 points, 10.4 rebounded, 3.4 assists. He’ll have a clear advantage at the position tonight. Vucevic has improved his playmaking abilities. Old Raptors friend Demar DeRozan leads the Bulls with 22 PPG, a 46.4 FG% and 5.3 assists per game. 

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Player Props

According to BetMGM, Quickley Over 31.5 Total Points, Rebounds and Assists (1.95), Vucevic Over 18.5 Points (1.83), Quickley Over 5.5 Assists (1.80), Barrett Under 6.5 Rebounds (2.10) and Barrett Over 20.5 Points (1.80) are the most bet player props.

At BetRivers, Coby White Over 5.5 Assists is getting 10.5% of the handle, Barnes Under 5.5 Assists 9.25%, and Barrett Over 6.5 Rebounds 8.81%. In terms of bets, it’s White Over 5.5 Assists at 9.5%, DeRozan Over 17.5 Points at 3.5%, and Barnes Under 5.5 Assist at 2.8%.

And at DraftKings, DeRozan Over 20.5 Points (1.95), Over 4.5 Rebounds (1.80), Barrett Over 20.5 Points (1.83), Quickley Over 30.5 Points + Assists + Rebounds (1.74), DeRozan Alt points 15+ (-1.22) are the most bet player props.

Raptors vs Bulls Betting Odds: Our Picks & Predictions

• Moneyline 2.10 (Raptors), 1.76 (Bulls)
• Spread +2 1.90 (Raptors), -2 1.90 (Bulls)
• Over/Under 228 

For those of you focused on NBA betting, take the Raptors on the ML tonight, which offers good value. Gary Trent Jr. looks motivated stepping in for Siakam, hitting 10-13 in FG, and 28 points, to lead his team last night. The Raptors offence, with Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett fast fitting in after coming over in that Anunoby trade with the New York Knicks, has been the story the past few weeks. The Raptors are 16in the NBA at 115.1 PPG, the Bulls are 110.1.

Odds as of 11 a.m. EST