The Toronto Raptors begin their final road trip of the 2020-21 NBA regular season Thursday night as they visit the Chicago Bulls, who are favoured on the NBA odds.
This game is essentially meaningless as neither team will reach the Eastern Conference play-in tournament (Toronto will not and Chicago needs a miracle), so it could be that key players on both sides sit out. The Bulls will end up as massive disappointments as they made a huge deal for All-Star centre Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline in late March with the expectation that he and fellow All-Star Zach LaVine would carry the team into the post-season, but it didn’t work out for a few reasons. LaVine missing a few weeks in COVID protocols certainly didn’t help. We expect the Bulls to be a playoff team next season, however. Ditto the Raptors.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Chicago looks for the three-game series sweep, winning 118-95 at home on March 14 and 122-113 in Tampa, Fla., on April 8. Vucevic played in just the second game (for Chicago anyway) and had 22 points and seven rebounds. LaVine is averaging 18.5 points and 8.0 assists in the two, and rookie Patrick Williams 17.0 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Chris Boucher is averaging 27.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in the two games. He’s the only key Raptors player to have played in both. Fred VanVleet didn’t play in either game. He grew up and starred in high school about 90 miles from Chicago in Rockford, Ill.
The Raptors are still 8-2 in the past 10 meetings, while the teams have split those 10 against the spread.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors lost their fourth in a row Tuesday, 115-96 in Tampa to the Los Angeles Clippers and are in full tank mode to try and improve their odds of winning the NBA Draft lottery. Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Rodney Hood all sat. A few of those guys are legitimately hurt and it’s likely all five sit here again. Toronto used its team-record 35th different starting lineup of the season, going with Gary Trent Jr., Malachi Flynn, Khem Birch, Stanley Johnson and Chris Boucher. It was a surprise Boucher played (he hadn’t since April 21) as he was thought done for the season with an injury, but he had 16 points and seven rebounds in 37 minutes.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago has to win out – visits Brooklyn and hosts Milwaukee after this game — and have the Washington Wizards lose out for the Bulls to clinch the final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. That’s not happening. The Wizards played Wednesday night in Atlanta and close at home vs. Cleveland and Charlotte, so there’s little chance Washington loses all three. The Bulls had a three-game winning streak snapped Tuesday in a 115-107 home loss to the Nets. Zach LaVine had 41 points but no other Chicago player had more than 16. The team’s other two primary scorers, Nikola Vucevic and Coby White, were a combined 11-for-35 shooting. The Bulls already have clinched the season series vs. Toronto for the first time since the 2016-17 season. Chicago is 26-21 all-time at home in the series.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Raptors vs. Bulls?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 13 May 1:53pm | TOR | -9.5 -110 | O +217 -110 |
| Closing 13 May 4:52pm | TOR | -10.5 -110 | O +216.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
| Points |
21.36 |
| Assists |
7.35 |
| Rebounds |
7.58 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
| Points |
27.43 |
| Assists |
4.86 |
| Rebounds |
11.54 |
| FG% |
55.9 |
| Steals |
1.09 |
| Blocks |
0.77 |
- Regular Season
Bulls Team Leaders
| Points |
21.36 |
| Assists |
7.35 |
| Rebounds |
7.58 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.85 |
| Points |
27.43 |
| Assists |
4.86 |
| Rebounds |
11.54 |
| FG% |
55.9 |
| Steals |
1.09 |
| Blocks |
0.77 |
Injuries
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Jalen Harris (PG)
Yuta Watanabe (SG)
Chris Boucher (PF)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Fred VanVleet (PG)
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Nikola Vucevic (C)
Tomas Satoransky (SG)
Tomas Satoransky (SG)
Daniel Theis (PF)
Daniel Theis (PF)
Cristiano Felicio (PF)
Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Nikola Vucevic (C)
Nikola Vucevic (C)
Patrick Williams (SF)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 13 May 1:53pm TOR -9.5 -110 O +217 -110 Closing 13 May 4:52pm TOR -10.5 -110 O +216.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
Raptors Team Leaders
Points 21.36
Assists 7.35
Rebounds 7.58
FG% 100
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.85
Points 27.43
Assists 4.86
Rebounds 11.54
FG% 55.9
Steals 1.09
Blocks 0.77
-
- Regular Season
Bulls Team Leaders
Points 21.36
Assists 7.35
Rebounds 7.58
FG% 100
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.85
Points 27.43
Assists 4.86
Rebounds 11.54
FG% 55.9
Steals 1.09
Blocks 0.77
-
Injuries
Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Sun Rest - 15 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Fri Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Jalen Harris (PG)
Doub Fri Foot - 14 / 05 / 21Yuta Watanabe (SG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 13 / 05 / 21Chris Boucher (PF)
Ques Fri Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Fred VanVleet (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 12 / 05 / 21Kyle Lowry (PG)
Out Tues Rest - 10 / 05 / 21Nikola Vucevic (C)
Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Tomas Satoransky (SG)
Out Sun Ankle - 14 / 05 / 21Tomas Satoransky (SG)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21Daniel Theis (PF)
Out Sun Hip - 12 / 05 / 21Daniel Theis (PF)
Ques Tues Hip - 09 / 05 / 21Cristiano Felicio (PF)
Ques Mon Illness - 01 / 05 / 21Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Ques Sat Illness - 01 / 05 / 21Nikola Vucevic (C)
Prob Thurs Leg - 01 / 05 / 21Nikola Vucevic (C)
Prob Fri Hip - 29 / 04 / 21Patrick Williams (SF)
Prob Sat Heel - 23 / 04 / 21Injuries
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.
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.