Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors NBA Picks & Predictions 12/30/2018

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Scotiabank Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Scotiabank Arena to play the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, December 30, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 7.5 point favorites.

The Bulls head into this matchup with a mark of 10-26. They are 4th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -9.0 as they average 100.7 points per contest while giving up 109.7 per game. The Raptors have an overall mark of 26-11. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They total 113.4 points per contest and give up 107.7, which is a point differential of 5.6.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 16-18-1 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 12-23-0 against the over/under

Important Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 16-19-1 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 21-15-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/20/18 F Bobby Portis Ankle is out indefinitely
10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/28/18 PG Kyle Lowry Back is questionable Sunday vs Chicago
12/28/18 SF Norman Powell Personal is out Friday vs Orlando
12/14/18 C Jonas Valanciunas Thumb is out 4-6 weeks

Player Spotlight

Justin Holiday comes into this contest averaging 11.8 points per game while playing 35.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 89%. Lauri Markkanen averages 17.2 points per game in 29.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 7.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Kawhi Leonard averages 26.7 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 8.3 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Serge Ibaka averages 16.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.3 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 100.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -9.0 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 41.7 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per game, which ranks them 27th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 14.7 per game. The Bulls allow 109.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.9 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 24.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 7th in the league with 113.4 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 5.6. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 16th in the league in rebounding with 45.2 boards per game, and 16th in assists per contest with 24.1. The Raptors are 23rd in turnovers per game with 13.5. The Raptors surrender 107.7 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24.5 assists allowed per contest and 16th with 44.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 20th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 30th in the league in defensive rating with 110.4, and their offensive rating of 101.3 is ranked 17th. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. Chicago is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 23rd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Raptors are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 107.8, and their offensive rating of 113.4 is ranked 9th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 3rd. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Bulls/Raptors NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago +7.5

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