Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors Betting Pick & Prediction 12/16/24

The Bulls will travel to Toronto to take on the Raptors in a matchup of Eastern Conference foes. Tipoff is set for 7:30 ET at Scotiabank Arena.

Despite a four-game losing streak, the Raptors are favored by 1 point over the Bulls. The over/under line for the game is 238.5 points.

CHICAGO BULLS VS TORONTO RAPTORS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Chicago Bulls +1

This game will be played at Scotiabank Arena at 7:30 ET on Monday, December 16th.

WHY BET THE CHICAGO BULLS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 141-109 in favor of the Bulls.
• Our projections have Zach LaVine finishing with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
• From the field, we have the Bulls finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.6% and knocking down 20 threes.

Are the Bulls Ready for a Win at Toronto?

The Bulls improved to 11-15 on the season with a 109-95 win over the Hornets on Friday. Chicago, favored by -5.5, covered the spread at home. The game’s total points of 204 fell well short of the 233.5 O/U line.

Chicago took control in the 2nd quarter, holding Charlotte to 18 points while scoring 28 of their own. Despite a 12-0 run by the Hornets, the Bulls’ defense held strong, and they entered the 4th quarter with an 82-67 lead. Charlotte edged Chicago 28-27 in the final period, but the Bulls’ early dominance secured the win.

Ayo Dosunmu’s 19 points led the Bulls to a win over the Hornets, with 12 of those coming in the 1st quarter. Dosunmu shot 66.7% from the field and hit 3 threes at a 50% clip. Coby White added 18 points, scoring 9 in the 4th quarter, while Josh Giddey contributed 17 points, 7 assists, and 9 rebounds.

Chicago’s shooting was subpar, hitting just 39.8% from the field and 27.5% from beyond the arc. Despite the struggles, the Bulls made 14 threes in the game.

The Bulls put on a defensive clinic against the Hornets, holding them to just 95 points on Friday. Chicago was especially tough in the 2nd quarter, allowing only 18 points. Overall, they limited Charlotte to 35% shooting from the field.

Chicago’s defense was particularly effective against the three, as they held the Hornets to just 8 made threes on 17% shooting. The Bulls also racked up 12 steals and 11 blocks in the game.

Will the Raptors Live Up to Expectations at Home?

Toronto’s season record fell to 7-19 after a 114-104 road loss to the Heat on Thursday. The Raptors were +10.5 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread, losing by 10. The game’s total of 218 points fell short of the 224.5 O/U line.

A 14-0 run early in the game gave the Raptors a 37-24 lead, but the Heat responded by outscoring Toronto 35-24 in the 2nd quarter. Miami extended their lead to 89-76 by the end of the 3rd, and despite a 28-25 4th quarter, the Raptors couldn’t close the gap.

Gradey Dick led the Raptors with 22 points in their 114-104 loss to the Heat, scoring 12 in the 1st quarter and adding 8 more in the 4th. He hit 3 threes, shooting 27.3% from deep and 42.1% overall. Jakob Poeltl contributed 16 points, with 8 coming in the 2nd quarter, and Ochai Agbaji added 13 points, shooting 75% from the field.

Toronto made 11 threes at a 34.4% clip, both average marks for them, while shooting 44.6% overall. Davion Mitchell and Agbaji each scored 5 points in the 4th quarter, with RJ Barrett also adding 5 of his 13 points in the final period.

Defensively, the Raptors struggled in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, giving up 35 and 31 points, respectively, in a 114-104 loss to the Heat. Toronto allowed Miami to shoot 48% from the field.

The Raptors gave up 13 threes on 40% shooting from deep. They also sent the Heat to the line 32 times, where they made 21 free throws. Toronto finished with 8 steals and 5 blocks.