Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls - 12/9/19 NBA Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Toronto Raptors vs Chicago Bulls

Date: Monday, December 9, 2019

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -5

Total/Over-Under: 215.5

United Center is the site where Lauri Markkanen and the Chicago Bulls (8-15, 4th in the Central Division) will take on the Toronto Raptors (15-6, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) on Monday. Toronto opens this matchup as 5 point favorites. The total opens at 215.5.

The Raptors cover the spread 61.9% of the time, having gone 13-8-0 ATS. Chicago is covering 43.5% of the time, going 10-13-0 against the spread.

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/7/2019 Stanley Johnson SF Groin Expected to be out until at least Dec 9
12/7/2019 Patrick McCaw SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Dec 11
11/26/2019 Matt Thomas SG Finger Expected to be out until at least Dec 28

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/7/2019 Chandler Hutchison SF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Dec 9
12/6/2019 Jr SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
11/12/2019 Cristiano Felicio PF Wrist Expected to be out until at least Dec 21

Player Spotlight

Fred VanVleet averages 18.7 points per game in 37.8 minutes per contest. He averages 7.3 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. Pascal Siakam comes into this contest averaging 25.0 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per night. He pulls down 8.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Player Spotlight

Zach Lavine averages 22.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 32.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.1 rebounds per contest and 4.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Lauri Markkanen averages 13.9 points per game while playing 29.7 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.7 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 37% and his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors allow 105.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 49.1 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they give up 24.9 assists per contest which puts them in 21st place in the league. They force 16.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league. Toronto averages 112.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 39% which is good for 2nd in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 25.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 9th and 7th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 15.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls surrender 109.2 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 24.6 assists allowed per contest, and 28th with 48.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 18.3 per game. Chicago is 24th in the league with 106.0 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -3.2. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 22nd in the league in rebounding with 43.5 boards per game and 22nd in assists per contest with 22.7. The Bulls are 13th in turnovers per game with 15.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 103.6, and their offensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 5th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 101 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 8th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. Toronto is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 48%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 13th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 13th in the league. The Bulls are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.1, and their defensive rating of 107.2 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 101.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 26th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Toronto -5

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