The NBA champions look to rebound from their first loss of the season when they land in the Windy City to take on Lauri Markkanen and the Bulls. The Raptors are 3.5-point road favourites as they go after their 10th straight win over Chicago.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Both the Raptors and Bulls enter this game with 1-1 records, and both sides are playing for the second time in as many nights. Chicago won 110-102 against the Memphis Grizzles on Friday night as a 2-point road favourite while the Raptors lost 112-106 as 2.5-point away underdogs.

The Bulls lost narrowly at Charlotte in their season opener as 3.5-point favourites. Toronto won its season debut 130-122 in overtime against the New Orleans Pelicans as a 6.5-point chalk.

The Dinos are 9-0 straight up in their last nine games against the Bulls, but just 1-2 against the spread in the last three meetings. The Over is 6-3 in the last nine head-to-head matchups between these two sides, but the Under is 3-1 in the last four.

The early league trend shows scoring isn’t quite as high as oddsmakers were expecting. The Under is cashing at 60 percent win rate so far this season. 

Other NBA betting trends of note early on: 

• Road teams are 17-8 against the spread through the first 25 games.
• Home favourites are just 6-12 ATS in 18 games.

Toronto Raptors

Pascal Siakam enjoyed a breakout campaign a year ago, but many wondered if there was another level he could reach after the departure of Kawhi Leonard. We’re only two games into the new season, but the early signs are positive.

The fourth year pro is averaging 33.5 points, 13 rebounds, and 3.5 assists through two games. The Raptors decision to sign Siakam to a long-term extension before the start of the season is looking like a stroke of genius at this point.

Chicago Bulls

There is some optimism around the league that the Bulls could make a push for the playoffs this year. Chicago boasts a solid young core of players whose skills complement each other well. 

The one wrench in the whole plan is Zach LaVine. The combo guard has been asked to work on his shot selection – something that can be a problem when he decides to take a long 2-point attempt early in the shot clock.

LaVine had 37 points on 13-of-23 shooting in the win against the Grizzles on Friday. That’s the type of offensive efficiency Chicago backers want to see out of LaVine moving forward.

Who Will Win Raptors vs. Bulls?

Injuries

Toronto

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 21 / 08 / 20

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Out Fri Rest - 14 / 08 / 20

OG Anunoby (SF)

Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 08 / 20

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Mon Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 10 / 08 / 20

Paul Watson (SG)

Doub Sun Back - 09 / 08 / 20

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Sun Eye - 08 / 08 / 20

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)

day-to-day Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20

Oshae Brissett (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 07 / 20

Chicago

Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)

day-to-day Achilles - 06 / 03 / 20

Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)

Prob Mon Back - 01 / 03 / 20

Daniel Gafford (PF)

Prob Mon Thumb - 01 / 03 / 20

Zach LaVine (PG)

day-to-day Quadricep - 01 / 03 / 20

Tomas Satoransky (SG)

Prob Mon Thumb - 01 / 03 / 20

Coby White (SG)

Prob Mon Back - 01 / 03 / 20

Daniel Gafford (PF)

Prob Sat Thumb - 29 / 02 / 20

Tomas Satoransky (SG)

Prob Sat Thumb - 28 / 02 / 20

Coby White (SG)

Ques Sat Back - 27 / 02 / 20

Daniel Gafford (PF)

Prob Tues Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20

Injuries

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 07 / 09 / 20	2-1	1-2	+ -
Ibaka is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 21 / 08 / 20	4-5	2-7	+ -
Hollis-Jefferson is bothered by swelling in his left knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Out Fri	Rest - 14 / 08 / 20	6-6	5-7	+ -
VanVleet will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Nuggets on Friday.
OG Anunoby (SF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 12 / 08 / 20	7-6	5-8	+ -
Anunoby is dealing with with soreness in his right knee, but he is likely to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Mon	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-9	+ -
Ibaka is bothered by a right knee contusion, but he is expected to play against the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 10 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-9	+ -
VanVleet missed the last game due to a hyperextended right knee, but he is likely to be available for Wednesday's contest against the 76ers.
Paul Watson (SG)	Doub Sun	Back - 09 / 08 / 20	8-7	5-10	+ -
Watson is dealing with soreness in his lower back, and he is not expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the Grizzlies.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Sun	Eye - 08 / 08 / 20	9-7	5-11	+ -
Ibaka was forced from the previous game due to an eye laceration, but he is likely to be active Sunday versus the Grizzlies.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SF)	day-to-day	Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20	11-7	5-13	+ -
Hollis-Jefferson exited Saturday's game with an ankle injury, and his return is in question.
Oshae Brissett (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 31 / 07 / 20	11-7	5-13	+ -
Brissett is expected to be sideline for an extended period due to right knee surgery in order to remove loose bodies.

Chicago

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)	day-to-day	Achilles - 06 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Arcidiacono is battling a sore right Achilles, and his status for when the league gets back in action from its hiatus.
Ryan Arcidiacono (PG)	Prob Mon	Back - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Arcidiacono is expected to play Monday against the Mavericks despite lower-back soreness.
Daniel Gafford (PF)	Prob Mon	Thumb - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Gafford has his right thumb taped up due to a previous dislocation but is expected to be active against the Mavericks on Monday.
Zach LaVine (PG)	day-to-day	Quadricep - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
LaVine is out of action with a left quadriceps strain, and it is if he will return when the league starts back up.
Tomas Satoransky (SG)	Prob Mon	Thumb - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
Satoransky is nursing a right thumb sprain, but he is projected to partake in Monday's matchup with the Mavericks.
Coby White (SG)	Prob Mon	Back - 01 / 03 / 20	-	-	+ -
White is battling a left back strain, but he is likely to face the Mavericks on Monday.
Daniel Gafford (PF)	Prob Sat	Thumb - 29 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Gafford is expected to play Saturday against the Knicks despite a right thumb injury.
Tomas Satoransky (SG)	Prob Sat	Thumb - 28 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Satoransky has a sprained right thumb, but will likely be available to face the Knicks on Saturday.
Coby White (SG)	Ques Sat	Back - 27 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
White is dealing with a back injury, leaving his availability for Saturday's matchup with the Knicks unknown.
Daniel Gafford (PF)	Prob Tues	Thumb - 24 / 02 / 20	-	-	+ -
Gaffor is expected to be in Tuesday's lineup versus the Thunder despite having his right thumb taped up due to a previous discoloration.