Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 2/14/2018

Wednesday, February 14, 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, February 14, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 7.5 point favorites.

The Raptors come into this game with an overall record of 39-16. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 8.3 as they are averaging 111.6 points per game while giving up 103.3 per contest. The Bulls have an overall mark of 20-36. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 103.4 points per contest and giving up 109.0, which is a point differential of -5.6.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 31-24-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 28-27-0 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 30-24-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 29-27-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

02/11/18 F OG Anunoby Ankle left last game, is "?" Tuesday vs Miami

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

01/18/18 PG Kris Dunn Concussion is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

DeMar DeRozan comes into this contest averaging 23.9 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Raptors. He pulls down 4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 83%. Kyle Lowry averages 16.4 points per game in 32.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.4 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game for Toronto. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Zach Lavine averages 17.3 points per game while playing 25.3 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 4.7 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. Lauri Markkanen averages 15.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.7 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 111.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.31 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 43.5 rebounds per game and 23.2 assists per game, which ranks them 16th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 13.4 per game. The Raptors allow 103.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.5 rebounds a game which ranks 13th and they give up 22 assists per contest, which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 22nd in the league with 103.4 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -5.57. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 44.8 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 23.7. The Bulls are 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Bulls surrender 109 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 20th and 19th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.1 assists allowed per contest and 29th with 45.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.5, and their defensive rating of 105.1 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league. Toronto is 27th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league. The Bulls are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.2, and their defensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 28th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Toronto -7.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn