NBA: Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls Predictions, Odds for Jan. 30

Raptors vs. Bulls Preview

It’s the series season finale between the Raptors (16-30) and the Chicago Bulls (22-25), with the Bulls up 2-1 in wins. The two teams last played Jan. 18 in Toronto, with the Bulls coming out on top 116-110. The Raptors remain popular on the Canadian sports betting front, and games against former Raptor Demar DeRozan always capture people’s attention.

Raptors vs. Bulls Details

Date: Jan. 30, 2024

Time: 8:00 p.m. EST

Location: United Center (Chicago, Il.)

How to watch: TV: Sportsnet; Radio: Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Raptors Insights

The Raptors have lost five straight, and are 1-9 in their last ten games, as they continue that downward spiral into a Top 6 draft spot. The trade last season with San Antonio that landed them C Jakob Poeltl had a first-round pick going to the Spurs, but it’s top 6 protected for this season. And that’s exactly where the Raptors sit now – 25^th in the NBA, so they will keep their No. 1 pick this season if that holds.

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So, what do they do? Play for that No. 1 pick? That’s a tough one to swallow. Tonight they take on the Bulls on Chicago’s homecourt without Poeltl, still nursing that ankle injury, and SG RJ Barrett, who’s been averaging 21 points per game since coming over from the New York Knicks in the Dec. 30 trade, out with a knee injury. SG Immanuel Quickley, who also came to Toronto in the Knicks trade, is listed as “doubtful” for tonight with a quadriceps injury. 

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That likely means a starting lineup that features Gary Trent Jr. and Bruce Brown at forward, Thaddeus Young at centre, and Scottie Barnes and Dennis Schroder at guard. Keep an eye on reserve Jordan Nwora, who came over in the Pascal Siakam trade with the Indiana Pacers a few weeks back. Sunday in the Raptors’ last game, a 126-125 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Nwora led all reserves with 24 points, in 31 minutes played.  That was just his third game with the team. Obviously Nwora is looking to make a statement.

Barnes is averaging 22.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals against the Bulls this season. The Raptors are 6-17 on the road.

Bulls Insights

The Bulls have won 10 of their last 14 games at home and are coming off a 104-96 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. SF DeRozan scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter against the Trail Blazers. He has feasted on his former team, the Raptors, this season – 33 points in that wild, early season 104-103 overtime win, 19 in the 121-108 loss to Toronto Nov. 24, and 24 points when they beat the Raptors 116-110 Jan. 18.

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Beside DeRozan, C Nikola Vucevic has been another storyline for the Bulls – leading the team in rebounds (10.5) and FG% (47.4). F Zach LaVine (ankle) remains out for the Bulls, as does PF Patrick Williams (foot).

Player Props

According to BetMGM, Coby White Under 5.5 Rebounds (1.80), White Under 35.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (1.80), and Barnes Over 23.5 Points (1.95) are the most bet player props. 

At DraftKings, Barnes Under 6.5 Assists (2.20), Barnes First Field Goal (6.00), White Under 5.5 Rebounds (1.80), White Over 5.5 Assists (1.71), DeRozan Over 4.5 Rebounds (1.74) are among their most bet player props so far today. 

Raptors vs. Bulls Betting Odds: Our Picks & Predictions

Moneyline 3.10 (Raptors), 1.38 (Bulls)

Spread +6.5 1.90 (Raptors), -6.5 1.90 (Bulls)

Over/Under 227.5 

On the NBA betting front, it doesn’t make a lot of sense going with the Bulls on the ML, against an injury-riddled Raptors team that is struggling. Go with the Over today – the Raptors have allowed an average of 120.8 points in their last ten, DeRozan loves beating up the team that traded him for Kawhi Leonard, and Barnes always comes out hot against the Bulls. The Bulls have put up at least 113 in eight of their last ten games.

Odds as of 12:30 p.m. EST