Free NBA Pick: Bulls vs. Raptors NBA Odds
Looking for Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Bulls taking on the Raptors on Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 at Scotiabank Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Bulls Raptors matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(32-18) Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors (26-23)
Date: Thursday, February 3rd
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Bankers Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
NBA Moneyline Odds: Bulls +115 | Raptors -135 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors -3
NBA Betting Total: 224
Thursday, February 3rd the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors meet for the third of four meetings this season. Chicago won both prior matches on October 25th (111-108), and January 26th (111-105). The final match will be hosted by Chicago on March 21st.
Both teams played on Tuesday with the Bulls defeating the Magic 126-115 while the Raptors beat the Heat 110-106 for their second win versus Miami in three days.
In history, the Bulls own the advantage winning 53 of the clubs’ 97 meetings. Last season the teams played three times with the Bulls sweeping the season series.
Chicago Bulls
Sure seems like the Bulls have abandoned their defensive philosophies while Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso are out. Or to be more specific, they give defensive effort in small spurts but the 48-minute commitment isn’t there.
That’s not exactly surprising because a big part of Ball and Caruso’s role is to lead the defense whereas DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic lead the offense and are active in support of the defense.
That almost cost them in the match versus the Magic on Tuesday but they locked down in the closing half of the final frame and that was all they needed to capture the victory.
Diving deeper with Ball out the last 10 games the Bulls are 5-5 while Caruso has missed the last six matches with Chicago 4-2 in those games.
A true indication of the defensive difference is Chicago allowed 99 points in the two games Caruso played in the last 10 matches but in the eight both he and Ball were out opponents averaged 115.5 points.
Zach LaVine (back) is probable for Thursday while Derrick Jones Jr. (knee), Ball (knee), and Caruso (wrist) are out between six and eight weeks each. Patrick Williams (thumb) is out for the season.
Toronto Raptors
The three-game win streak by the Raptors may well be their most impressive of the season as they beat the Heat twice in four days knocking Miami out of the top East seed and ending the Hawks’ seven-game win streak.
Things won’t get any easier as they face the top-seeded Bulls and Hawks again prior to hitting the road for eight of their next nine matches and 16 of the next 21.
Although that’s not necessarily ideal with the Raptors only just allowing 500 fans into the arena this may be a good time for them to travel with hopefully the situation being resolved by mid-March when they’ll play nine of their final 13 games at home.
Another concern is the minutes of the starters with Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and rookie Scottie Barnes logging the first, second, third, and ninth most time in the association.
Ironically, it’s Gary Trent Jr. (27th in minutes) who is on fire having scored 30 or more in five consecutive games. Khem Birch returning will be helpful but he’s at least a week away and Nick Nurse has to hope no one gets injured due to fatigue.
Yet, the benefit is all these extra minutes have allowed the Raptors to develop chemistry with the recent success showing on both ends of the court.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The Bulls total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Toronto’s last 13 games.
Free Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
This is the fourth game in six days for the Raptors and the front side of a back-to-back. That said, the Raptors have recently found a way to close out in clutch time and enter with confidence.
Both prior games between these clubs were decided in the last minute and if the Bulls don’t bring the defensive effort the entire 48 minutes this time it won’t be close.
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