Sunday in Tampa, Fla. is the Toronto Raptors’ first look this season at the improving Chicago Bulls and their All-Star guard Zach LaVine. The Dinos are favoured on the NBA odds. Will Coach Nick Nurse and star Pascal Siakam be back?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Bulls’ LaVine is easily having his best season and was named to the All-Star team on Tuesday (as a reserve) for the first time in his career – even though the 25-year-old former UCLA star has been in the league since 2014. LaVine is certainly a piece to build around, as is second-year guard Coby White and 2020 No. 4 overall pick Patrick Williams, but the rest of the Chicago roster is a question mark. One potential piece, Lauri Markkanen, is out injured. Otto Porter is also out injured but likely isn’t a long-term piece and might be the most overpaid player in the NBA.

The Bulls could be active in the trade market ahead of the March 25 deadline as veteran reserve forward Thaddeus Young will be coveted around the league and could help put any contender over the top. Chicago is under first-year coach Billy Donovan, formerly of the Oklahoma City Thunder and a two-time national championship-winning coach at the University of Florida.

This series has been one of streaks lately. Toronto has won the past 12 games after Chicago took the previous 11. LaVine averaged just 16.3 points in the three games a season ago and White only 6.7 points per game – although he really took off late in his rookie campaign. Wendell Carter Jr., another former lottery pick, averaged 13.0 points and 9.0 rebounds. Pascal Siakam averaged 19.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in the series for Toronto, while Kyle Lowry added 12.0 points and 7.0 assists.

The teams have split the past 10 meetings against the spread.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago’s three-game winning streak was snapped Friday in a 106-97 home loss to Phoenix – those are two of the best ATS teams in the NBA this season. The Bulls were outscored 32-16 in the fourth quarter. LaVine had 24 points and is averaging 28.7 points per game on the season along with 5.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He is one of six players in the NBA to currently average at least 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

Young certainly didn’t hurt his trade value in the loss, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Carter was not good, following up back-to-back double-doubles with two points on Friday. Chicago has been an excellent road bet this year, going 8-2 ATS in its past 10 away games.

Toronto Raptors

Toronto had little trouble with free-falling Houston on Friday, winning 122-111 to end a two-game slide as rumours persist of a potential Lowry trade – perhaps to his hometown of Philadelphia. Lowry played his best game of the season on Friday, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Norman Powell was 10-for-15 for 30 points and Fred VanVleet had 25 points but was just 6-for-23.

However, the big story was that Coach Nick Nurse and a handful of his assistants as well as Siakam were out due to COVID protocols. Of course, Nurse also lost top assistant Chris Finch to the Minnesota Timberwolves early this week. Sergio Scariolo was the interim coach Friday. Scariolo has been a very successful European coach and guided Spain to a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2016 Games. Lowry gave Scariolo the game ball after Friday in a classy move. As of this writing, the statuses of Nurse, Siakam, etc., are not clear for this one.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bulls vs. Raptors?

• Regular Season

Bulls Team Leaders

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 27.43
Assists	Zach LaVine 4.86
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 11.54
FG%	Thaddeus Young 55.9
Steals	Thaddeus Young 1.09
Blocks	Nikola Vucevic 0.77

TOR

Points	Pascal Siakam 21.36
Assists	Kyle Lowry 7.35
Rebounds	Khem Birch 7.58
FG%	Patrick McCaw 100
Steals	Fred VanVleet 1.67
Blocks	Chris Boucher 1.85

• Regular Season

Raptors Team Leaders

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 27.43
Assists	Zach LaVine 4.86
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 11.54
FG%	Thaddeus Young 55.9
Steals	Thaddeus Young 1.09
Blocks	Nikola Vucevic 0.77

TOR

Points	Pascal Siakam 21.36
Assists	Kyle Lowry 7.35
Rebounds	Khem Birch 7.58
FG%	Patrick McCaw 100
Steals	Fred VanVleet 1.67
Blocks	Chris Boucher 1.85

Injuries

Chicago

Nikola Vucevic (C)

Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21

Tomas Satoransky (SG)

Out Sun Ankle - 14 / 05 / 21

Tomas Satoransky (SG)

Ques Thurs Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21

Daniel Theis (PF)

Out Sun Hip - 12 / 05 / 21

Daniel Theis (PF)

Ques Tues Hip - 09 / 05 / 21

Cristiano Felicio (PF)

Ques Mon Illness - 01 / 05 / 21

Lauri Markkanen (PF)

Ques Sat Illness - 01 / 05 / 21

Nikola Vucevic (C)

Prob Thurs Leg - 01 / 05 / 21

Nikola Vucevic (C)

Prob Fri Hip - 29 / 04 / 21

Patrick Williams (SF)

Prob Sat Heel - 23 / 04 / 21

Toronto

Kyle Lowry (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21

Kyle Lowry (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21

Jalen Harris (PG)

Doub Fri Foot - 14 / 05 / 21

Yuta Watanabe (SG)

Ques Sun Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21

Chris Boucher (PF)

Ques Fri Rest - 12 / 05 / 21

Kyle Lowry (PG)

Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21

Kyle Lowry (PG)

Out Tues Rest - 10 / 05 / 21

Injuries

Chicago

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Nikola Vucevic (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 16 / 05 / 21	0-1	0-1	+ -
Vucevic will not be in the lineup on Sunday versus the Bucks, as he will be given a day of rest.
Tomas Satoransky (SG)	Out Sun	Ankle - 14 / 05 / 21	1-1	0-2	+ -
Satoransky was held out of the last contest due to a left ankle sprain, and he will not face the Bucks on Sunday.
Tomas Satoransky (SG)	Ques Thurs	Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	0-3	+ -
Satoransky is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will line up against the Raptors on Thursday.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Out Sun	Hip - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	0-3	+ -
Theis has missed the previous two games due to a right hip contusion, and he will not be available for Sunday's matchup with the Bucks.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Ques Tues	Hip - 09 / 05 / 21	3-2	0-5	+ -
Theis sat out the last game tending to a right hip contusion, and it is unclear if he will take the court to battle the Nets on Tuesday.
Cristiano Felicio (PF)	Ques Mon	Illness - 01 / 05 / 21	4-6	0-10	+ -
Felicio sat out the last game nursing an illness, and it is unclear if he will be in the lineup versus the 76ers on Monday.
Lauri Markkanen (PF)	Ques Sat	Illness - 01 / 05 / 21	4-6	0-10	+ -
Markkanen is ailing from an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will take the court against the Hawks on Saturday.
Nikola Vucevic (C)	Prob Thurs	Leg - 01 / 05 / 21	4-6	0-10	+ -
Vucevic has missed the last two games due to an adductor injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available versus the Hornets on Thursday.
Nikola Vucevic (C)	Prob Fri	Hip - 29 / 04 / 21	4-6	0-10	+ -
Vucevic is dealing with right adductor tightness, but he is likely to face the Bucks on Friday.
Patrick Williams (SF)	Prob Sat	Heel - 23 / 04 / 21	6-8	3-11	+ -
Williams is battling left heel soreness, but he is projected to take the court for Saturday's tilt with the Heat.

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kyle Lowry (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 15 / 05 / 21	1-1	1-1	+ -
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Sunday's showdown with the Pacers as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 15 / 05 / 21	1-1	1-1	+ -
VanVleet will not line up against the Pacers on Sunday as he will be given a day of rest.
Kyle Lowry (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 14 / 05 / 21	1-1	1-1	+ -
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Friday's showdown with the Mavericks as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 14 / 05 / 21	1-1	1-1	+ -
VanVleet will not line up against the Mavericks on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Jalen Harris (PG)	Doub Fri	Foot - 14 / 05 / 21	1-1	1-1	+ -
Harris is nursing a foot injury, and he is not expected to dress for Friday's tilt with the Mavericks.
Yuta Watanabe (SG)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21	1-2	1-2	+ -
Watanabe was held out of the previous game with a foot injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Pacers on Sunday.
Chris Boucher (PF)	Ques Fri	Rest - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	1-2	+ -
Boucher missed the last game due to a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will participate in Friday's contest with the Mavericks.
Kyle Lowry (PG)	Out Thurs	Rest - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	1-2	+ -
Lowry will be absent from the starting lineup for Thursday's showdown with the Bulls as he will receive a day of rest.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Out Thurs	Rest - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	1-2	+ -
VanVleet will not line up against the Bulls on Thursday as he will be given a day of rest.
Kyle Lowry (PG)	Out Tues	Rest - 10 / 05 / 21	1-3	1-3	+ -
Lowry will not be in the lineup against the Clippers on Tuesday, as he will be given a day of rest.