The Chicago Bulls and the Toronto Raptors will play what is essentially an elimination game Friday for the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.
The Eastern Conference foes both enter this matchup 0-2 in this new format, but the NBA odds like the Raptors to notch that first win listing them as 6.5-point home favorites.
Yes, the Raps are better at home but the Bulls are in a bad place at the moment, having lost five of their last six games as rumors swirl about whether they will move Zach LaVine, who is dealing with a foot injury on top of everything else.
Can Toronto take advantage of this situation and cover the home chalk, or is there value with Chicago as road dogs?
I break down this NBA In-Season Tournament game and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions for Bulls vs. Raptors on November 24.
Bulls vs Raptors odds
Bulls vs Raptors predictions
The short answer is no, I don’t think there is value in the Bulls in this spot.
Chicago was supposed to be a team that covered its warts on defense with its offense. But the Bulls have just not been a good shooting team this season. They rank 27th in offensive rating, 28th in effective field goal percentage, and 24th in 3-point shooting percentage.
As a result, the team has lost five of its last six games and has put up 102 points or fewer in five straight. Those struggles have compounded on the road, where the Bulls are 1-5 straight up scoring just 105.2 points per game, which ranks dead last in the NBA.
To make matters worse, star guard Zach LaVine is questionable to play this game after missing Wednesday’s game in Oklahoma City.
Tonight, those scoring struggles should continue against a solid Raptors defense. Toronto ranks 12th in the NBA in defensive rating and seems to crank the intensity up a level when playing in front of the home crowd, limiting opponents to 109.3 points per game.
The Raptors also held the Bulls to just 93 points in regulation on just 37% shooting from the field when they last faced off in Chicago back on Oct. 27. And that was with a healthy LaVine.
Even if LaVine is able to go tonight, I think the Bulls team total of 106.5 is a touch too high. If he can’t even better.
My best bet: Bulls team total Under 106.5 (-115 at PointsBet)
Bulls vs Raptors same-game parlay
Bulls team total Under 106.5
Coby White Under 14.5 points
Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 rebounds
So, who is going to contribute to those scoring struggles for Chicago? I’m looking at Bulls guard Coby White.
White is averaging 12.8 points per game and hasn’t been the most efficient of shooters this season hitting just 40.3% of his attempts. His point total of 14.5 stands out as being about a bucket too high, so let’s add the Under.
And let’s close this SGP out by picking on the Bulls one more time. Another place they struggle is on the glass, ranking 29th in rebounding rate. Scottie Barnes is still doing it all for the Raps and is averaging 9.1 rebounds per game, so let's add his Over 7.5 rebounds for tonight’s matchup.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Bulls vs Raptors spread and Over/Under analysis
The Raptors opened this Eastern Conference clash as 6-point home favorites, but the Bulls have seen the early money, moving the line to 5.5 as of Friday afternoon.
It’s clear the Bulls are struggling, but the Raptors have been inconsistent on offense as well. Even at home. In its last homestand, Toronto had two games where it was favored by 8.5 points or more. In one the Raps crushed the Detroit Pistons and in the other, they needed a furious comeback to defeat the Washington Wizards. Given the inconsistency, I’m staying away from the spread here.
The total hit the board at 218.5 and has been bet down to 217 as of Friday afternoon, and I’m inclined to agree with the early money.
Since I’m betting the Bulls to have trouble getting buckets, I would lean toward the full-game Under as well. It doesn’t hurt that the Raptors rank 24th in offensive rating, and 20th in effective field goal percentage. Plus, Chicago hasn't been a terrible defensive team ranking 17th in defensive rating.
Mix in that Toronto and Chicago rank 18th and 30th in pace and this one has all the makings of an Under.
Bulls vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Bulls have only hit the Team Total Over in 22 of their last 60 games for -21.95 units. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Raptors.
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Bulls vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Friday, November 24, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBC Sports Chicago, TSN |
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