The Chicago Bulls will host the Toronto Raptors at the United Center on Thursday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Raptors-Bulls prediction and pick.
This will be the third meeting between these two clubs this season. Chicago will be looking for the sweep after winning won each of the first two games of the season series. Who will win the battle for the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference?
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Raptors-Bulls odds.
NBA Odds: Raptors-Bulls Odds
Toronto Raptors +10.5 (-110)
Chicago Bulls -10.5 (-110)
Over 217 Points (-110)
Under 217 Points (-110)
Why The Raptors Could Cover The Spread
The Raptors can finally see a light at the end of this treacherous tunnel. This season has been disastrous for the Raptors and you know Masai Ujiri is anxious to get this club back on track in the offseason. Toronto does still have three games left to play, which will be a good test for the front office to see which young guys should stick around.
With most of the Raptors' key guys currently out as they play out the string, Gary Trent Jr. will be the main man to watch. Trent is set to be a free agent after this season, but he could wind up being a pivotal player for Toronto moving forward. He has shown flashes of brilliance and is averaging 17.3 points over this last three games.
While the Raptors have had a lot of success against the Bulls in recent years, that hasn't translated over to this nightmarish season. For Toronto to have a chance to cover, Trent and the other youngsters will have to be locked in on both ends of the floor and hope Chicago goes cold.
Why The Bulls Could Cover The Spread
The Bulls have not been mathematically ruled out of the playoffs just yet. If they win out and the Washington Wizards lose out, Chicago will be in the play-in tournament as the 10th seed. The Bulls are 2.5 games out with three left to play. The glimpse of hope should be enough to motivate Chicago in this affair.
With this game being followed by a date with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks to finish the year, Chicago has to find a way to use this game to build momentum. The Bulls will also need a miracle to happen as the Wizards finish their season against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets. It's unlikely that Chicago gets in, but crazier things have happened in sports.
With the Bulls being as healthy as possible at this time of year, they will have a clear talent edge on the court in this game. Toronto's starting five and key role players will all be out of action. With the way Zach LaVine, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic have been playing of late, there is no way they don't build on their recent success in this game.
Final Raptors-Bulls Prediction & Pick
I am rolling with the Chicago Bulls in this one. I could see them winning this game by 30+ at home. Chicago has a very bright future ahead of them and would love nothing more than to enter the offseason on an extremely high note. Toronto's focus has shifted entirely toward next season, so a Thursday night affair with the Bulls is the last thing on their mind now. The Bulls' slight chance of hope this season will catapult them to a big victory.
FINAL PICK: Chicago Bulls -10.5 (-110)
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