Toronto Raptors vs Chicago Bulls Prediction, Betting Odds, Picks

• The Toronto Raptors are coming off of a win, but have seven players under health & safety protocols.
• The Chicago Bulls look to extend their win streak to three!
• The Bulls won their earlier meeting against the Raptors this season, 111-108.

Toronto Raptors vs Chicago Bulls Odds

Head-to-Head: Toronto Raptors vs Chicago Bulls

Injury Report

Players Unavailable due to Health and Safety Protocols

How Can the Raptors Beat the Bulls?

The odds are against the Toronto Raptors. Not only will they have up to 11 players unavailable for this matchup, but they will have to depend on a group of five ten-day hardship exception players for this game.

Of Toronto’s top five scorers, the team will only have one available. To say that their role players need to step up would be an understatement.

The Raptors are already 28th in the league in assists per game, but they’ll need to find a way to create good opportunities for their less used players. If the Raptors can’t shoot the ball with efficiency, the score could go in Chicago’s favor quickly.

Raptors Key Player: (F) OG Anunoby

All of the terrible COVID news distracted me from the fact that OG Anunoby is finally back, which is nice pic.twitter.com/Gz15yoG40W

— The NBA Analyst (@The_NBAAnalyst) December 19, 2021

Despite having returned from injury in just his last game and playing only 16 total games this season, Anunoby is expected to play heavy minutes for the Toronto Raptors in this game.

The two-way specialist has been averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals on 42.9% shooting from the field this season. Despite shooting just 3 of 8 in his last game, a 19-point win over the Warriors, Anunoby will be Toronto’s key player on both sides of the court.

The Toronto Raptors are starved for players at the moment, and most of the offensive burden will be on Anunoby. If he can get his one-on-one game going early, it’ll open up a lot of opportunities for the Raptors’ role players.

How Can the Bulls Beat the Raptors?

The Chicago Bulls are coming off of back-to-back victories. A key to their success have been their fast starts and their offensive rebounding.

In their last two games, the Bulls have won the first quarter by an average of 8.5 points while also collecting a combined 25 offensive rebounds.

While it’s easy for them rely on DeMar DeRozan’s incredible scoring ability, the effort they put in on the glass and the pace they try to set from tip-off are crucial to their success. Setting the tone early can lead the Bulls to an easy victory.

Bulls Key Player: (C) Nikola Vucevic

Vooch with the FOOTWORK.@NBCSChicago | @NikolaVucevic pic.twitter.com/WjCnqa6Yd7

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 21, 2021

The Chicago Bulls have a decided advantage against the Raptors in terms of personnel. However, when Vucevic lines up against Toronto’s frontcourt, there’s none that should be able to match him.

Vucevic is coming off of a solid 18-point, 6 rebound evening in a win over the Houston Rockets. While he could’ve been more efficient from the field, he should have the edge against the undermanned Raptors.

The Chicago Bulls are at their best when Vucevic is aggressive on the offensive side of the court. He’s not much of a defender or rim-protector, so he’ll need to score to make an impact.

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