After suffering their worst loss of the season in a 116-87 thumping at the hands of the Orlando Magic on Friday, the Toronto Raptors will be looking to get back on track at home against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Sportsbooks opened the Raps as 10.5-point home favorites with a total of 209.5.
- The OVER is 6-0 in the last six meetings between the Raptors and Bulls in Toronto.
- The Bulls are 8-1 ATS in their last nine meetings with the Raptors in Toronto.
- The Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games.
Bulls are finally showing signs of life
The Raptors will be happy to shake off a disappointing road trip that also saw them lose 126-101 to the Philadelphia 76ers on December 22. Toronto is a mediocre 7-7 SU in December and is fighting through injuries to its key players, namely Kyle Lowry (back) and Jonas Valanciunas (thumb surgery). Reserve guard C.J. Miles has been ice-cold of late, as the veteran is 6-of-34 from the field over the past six games and 3-of-25 from 3-point range.
Chicago finally reached double figures in wins with a 101-92 triumph over the Washington Wizards on Friday to give them victories in three of their last four games. Rookie power forward Wendell Carter Jr. recorded 17 points and 13 rebounds vs the Wizards for his sixth double-double of the campaign. Zach LaVine was fantastic in the second half of that tilt, scoring 19 of his 24 points in the last two quarters.
Bulls, Raptors love going OVER in Canada
Toronto simply hasn’t been a reliable spread wager over the past few weeks, evidenced by the Dinos failing to cover in six of their last seven games. Toronto is also 1-6 ATS in its previous seven against Eastern Conference opposition.
Is another OVER in store in this series? In the past six meetings between the clubs in Canada, the OVER is a perfect 6-0. The OVER is also 14-3 in the past 17 matchups between the Raptors and Bulls.
My pick: take the OVER
Chicago is starting to figure things out on offense right now, which is a great sign for the young Bulls going forward. Toronto’s defense has seemingly sprung a leak lately yet they’ve still been able to fill the scoresheet as per usual. I’m banking on the OVER trend continuing in this matchup tonight as a result.
