The Toronto Raptors aren’t going to catch the Milwaukee Bucks for first place in the Eastern Conference, but they do have a great chance of finishing with the second best record in the NBA.
Second best would earn them home-court advantage in the NBA Finals should they advance that far in the playoffs. The Chicago Bulls were eliminated from postseason before the start of the Mueller investigation. They come into Saturday’s game with its entire starting lineup out of commission.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Toronto made short work of the New York Knicks on Thursday night. The Raps won 117-92 and easily covered as 10-point faves. The club improved to 53-23 straight up and 33-43 against the spread on the campaign.
The Dinos are 8-0 in their last eight games against the Bulls but they’ve failed to cover the spread in the last two meetings, including earlier this week. Toronto won 112-103 at home on Tuesday but Chicago covered as a 14.5-point underdog.
Consistency has been hard to come by for Toronto bettors. Their club is just 3-10 against the number in its last 13 games coming off an outright win.
Chicago is coming off a 20-point loss at home to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Bulls are 2-8 SU in their last 10 contests and 7-19 ATS in their last 26 home games.
Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam could be up for a major individual award this year. The former member of the Raptor bench mob has ingrained himself as a key contributor to Toronto’s starting group in his third NBA season.
He’s averaging almost 10 more points per game (17.0 vs. 7.3) than a season ago, while shooting almost 55 percent from the field. Even more important, he’s become a respectable shooter from above the break. Spicy P is shooting 35.6 percent on triples.
He’s been the glue on a Raptors squad that’s seen All-Stars Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard both miss significant game time. ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe made the case for Siakam to win the league’s Most Improved Player award earlier this week on The Jump.
Chicago Bulls
Only NBA hardos will know all the names Chicago will trot out for Saturday’s game. The Bulls are in full tank mode and hoping to improve their odds of winning the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
All five of Chicago’s leading scorers (Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter, Kris Dunn and Wendell Carter) are out for the season with various injuries.
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 30 Mar 2:33pm | TOR | -10 -110 | O +217 -110 |
| Closing 30 Mar 9:53pm | TOR | -10.5 -110 | O +214.5 -110 |
Injuries
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Pascal Siakam (PF)
Jeremy Lin (PG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Serge Ibaka (C)
Danny Green (SG)
Danny Green (SG)
Patrick McCaw (SG)
Shaquille Harrison (PG)
Shaquille Harrison (PG)
Wayne Selden (SG)
Shaquille Harrison (PG)
Kris Dunn (PG)
Kris Dunn (PG)
Zach LaVine (PG)
Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)
Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred VanVleet (PG) | Prob Mon | Face - 08 / 06 / 19 | 2-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Thurs | Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 | 7-4 | 6-6 | + - |
|
McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. |
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| Pascal Siakam (PF) | Prob Sun | Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 | 9-6 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion. |
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| Jeremy Lin (PG) | Prob Tues | Back - 02 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 01 / 05 / 19 | 9-7 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks. |
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| Chris Boucher (PF) | Ques Mon | Back - 18 / 04 / 19 | 13-8 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers. |
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| Serge Ibaka (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 | 15-9 | 10-15 | + - |
|
Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 | 15-10 | 10-15-1 | + - |
|
Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. |
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| Danny Green (SG) | Prob Wed | Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 | 18-10 | 12-16-1 | + - |
|
Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday. |
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| Patrick McCaw (SG) | Prob Fri | Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 | 19-10 | 12-17-1 | + - |
|
McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaquille Harrison (PG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 10 / 04 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Harrison is expected to play against the 76ers on Wednesday despite dealing with a left ankle sprain. |
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| Shaquille Harrison (PG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Harrison is expected to take the court Tuesday against the Knicks despite a left ankle sprain. |
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| Wayne Selden (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 05 / 04 / 19 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Selden is dealing with a left knee issue but will likely be available against the 76ers on Saturday. |
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| Shaquille Harrison (PG) | Prob Wed | Shoulder - 02 / 04 / 19 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Harrison is projected to be in Wednesday's lineup versus the Wizards despite a left shoulder strain. |
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| Kris Dunn (PG) | Out indefinitely | Back - 24 / 03 / 19 | 2-6 | 3-4-1 | + - |
|
Dunn has been absent from the lineup with a mid-back strain and it is unknown when he will return to the court. |
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| Kris Dunn (PG) | Prob Sat | Back - 22 / 03 / 19 | 3-6 | 4-4-1 | + - |
|
Dunn is dealing with a back injury but will play against the Jazz on Saturday. |
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| Zach LaVine (PG) | Out indefinitely | Thigh - 19 / 03 / 19 | 4-7 | 5-5-1 | + - |
|
LaVine has been held out of the lineup with a right thigh contusion and patellar tendinitis in his right knee. There is no timetable for return. |
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| Otto Porter Jr. (SF) | Out indefinitely | Shoulder - 18 / 03 / 19 | 4-7 | 5-5-1 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. is sidelined due to a right rotator cuff strain and it is unknown when he will return to the lineup. |
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| Ryan Arcidiacono (PG) | Prob Sun | Head - 16 / 03 / 19 | 5-8 | 7-5-1 | + - |
|
Arcidiacono left the last game with a head injury but is expected to play in Sunday's matchup against the Kings. |
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| Otto Porter Jr. (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 13 / 03 / 19 | 5-8 | 7-5-1 | + - |
|
Porter Jr. sustained a left knee contusion in the last game but it is expected he will play against the Clippers on Friday. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 Mar 2:33pm TOR -10 -110 O +217 -110 Closing 30 Mar 9:53pm TOR -10.5 -110 O +214.5 -110 -
Injuries
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19Pascal Siakam (PF)
Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19Jeremy Lin (PG)
Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19Serge Ibaka (C)
Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19Danny Green (SG)
Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19Patrick McCaw (SG)
Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19Shaquille Harrison (PG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 04 / 19Shaquille Harrison (PG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19Wayne Selden (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 05 / 04 / 19Shaquille Harrison (PG)
Prob Wed Shoulder - 02 / 04 / 19Kris Dunn (PG)
Out indefinitely Back - 24 / 03 / 19Kris Dunn (PG)
Prob Sat Back - 22 / 03 / 19Zach LaVine (PG)
Out indefinitely Thigh - 19 / 03 / 19Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Out indefinitely Shoulder - 18 / 03 / 19Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)
Prob Sun Head - 16 / 03 / 19Otto Porter Jr. (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 13 / 03 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Fred VanVleet (PG) Prob Mon Face - 08 / 06 / 19 2-0 1-2 + - VanVleet sustained a facial laceration and chipped tooth in the previous game but is expected to suit up for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Thurs Personal - 15 / 05 / 19 7-4 6-6 + - McCaw has been tending to a personal matter, but he is likely to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors.
Pascal Siakam (PF) Prob Sun Calf - 04 / 05 / 19 9-6 8-8 + - Siakam is expected to play in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers despite a right calf contusion.
Jeremy Lin (PG) Prob Tues Back - 02 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Lin is battling back spasms but is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Chris Boucher (PF) Prob Wed Back - 01 / 05 / 19 9-7 8-9 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms but it is likely he will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks.
Chris Boucher (PF) Ques Mon Back - 18 / 04 / 19 13-8 9-13 + - Boucher is dealing with back spasms and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round against the 76ers.
Serge Ibaka (C) Out Tues Rest - 09 / 04 / 19 15-9 10-15 + - Ibaka will not suit up against the Timberwolves on Tuesday as he is to be rested.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 15-10 10-15-1 + - Green tweaked his ankle in the last game but it is anticipated that he will play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Danny Green (SG) Prob Wed Thumb - 01 / 04 / 19 18-10 12-16-1 + - Green jammed his left thumb during the last game but it is unlikely to deter him from being available against the Nets on Wednesday.
Patrick McCaw (SG) Prob Fri Thumb - 30 / 03 / 19 19-10 12-17-1 + - McCaw has been debilitated with a sprained right thumb but will likely return to action against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Shaquille Harrison (PG) Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 04 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Harrison is expected to play against the 76ers on Wednesday despite dealing with a left ankle sprain.
Shaquille Harrison (PG) Prob Tues Ankle - 09 / 04 / 19 0-2 0-2 + - Harrison is expected to take the court Tuesday against the Knicks despite a left ankle sprain.
Wayne Selden (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 05 / 04 / 19 1-2 1-2 + - Selden is dealing with a left knee issue but will likely be available against the 76ers on Saturday.
Shaquille Harrison (PG) Prob Wed Shoulder - 02 / 04 / 19 1-3 2-2 + - Harrison is projected to be in Wednesday's lineup versus the Wizards despite a left shoulder strain.
Kris Dunn (PG) Out indefinitely Back - 24 / 03 / 19 2-6 3-4-1 + - Dunn has been absent from the lineup with a mid-back strain and it is unknown when he will return to the court.
Kris Dunn (PG) Prob Sat Back - 22 / 03 / 19 3-6 4-4-1 + - Dunn is dealing with a back injury but will play against the Jazz on Saturday.
Zach LaVine (PG) Out indefinitely Thigh - 19 / 03 / 19 4-7 5-5-1 + - LaVine has been held out of the lineup with a right thigh contusion and patellar tendinitis in his right knee. There is no timetable for return.
Otto Porter Jr. (SF) Out indefinitely Shoulder - 18 / 03 / 19 4-7 5-5-1 + - Porter Jr. is sidelined due to a right rotator cuff strain and it is unknown when he will return to the lineup.
Ryan Arcidiacono (PG) Prob Sun Head - 16 / 03 / 19 5-8 7-5-1 + - Arcidiacono left the last game with a head injury but is expected to play in Sunday's matchup against the Kings.
Otto Porter Jr. (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 13 / 03 / 19 5-8 7-5-1 + - Porter Jr. sustained a left knee contusion in the last game but it is expected he will play against the Clippers on Friday.