Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 1/3/2018

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 4.5 point favorites.

The Raptors head into this matchup with a mark of 25-10. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 7.7 as they are averaging 111.2 points per contest while giving up 103.5 per game. The Bulls have an overall mark of 13-24. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 101.0 points per contest and giving up 106.6, which is a point differential of -5.6.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 20-15-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 17-18-0 against the over/un=DEr

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 22-13-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 20-17-0 against the over/un=DEr

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

DeMar DeRozan comes into this contest averaging 24.9 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Raptors. He pulls down 4.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%. Kyle Lowry averages 16.2 points per game in 32.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7 assists per contest and 6.1 rebounds per game for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 14.7 points per game while playing 29.6 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 7.4 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. Kris Dunn averages 13.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.8 rebounds per contest and 6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 111.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.74 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 42.4 rebounds per game and 22.9 assists per game, which ranks them 19th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover =DEpartment they rank 23rd with 14 per game. The Raptors allow 103.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 6th in those =DEfensive categories. Opponents average 41.9 rebounds a game which ranks 7th and they give up 22.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 16.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 26th in the league with 101 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -5.54. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 45.1 boards per game, and 5th in assists per contest with 23.6. The Bulls are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Bulls surren=DEr 106.6 points per contest, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their =DEfense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 14th in those =DEfensive statistics. They rank 27th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest and 27th with 45.5 rebounds surren=DEred per game. The Bulls are 1st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.1, and their defensive rating of 105.2 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 10th in the league with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league. Toronto is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 26th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 12th in the league. The Bulls are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 102.7, and their defensive rating of 108.4 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 97.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Toronto -4.5

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