NBA Spreads: Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Chicago Bulls will go for their fifth straight win tonight, when they host the Toronto Raptors, who have won three straight at the United Center. Chicago comes in off a 100-91 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Toronto was blown out at home by the Celtics 93-79. Chicago won at Toronto 110-93 back on Dec. 15, but have really struggled to play well at home against the Raptors. Taking a look at the NBA spreads for this game, oddsmakers have the Bulls favored by 8-points over the Raptors.
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The Bulls are quietly putting together quite a run, as they have won 13 of their last 15 games, and really aren’t playing their best basketball. Derrick Rose scored 28 points and dished out 11 assists in the Bulls most recent win over the Cavaliers. Rose is averaging 22.6 points, 9.6 assists, and six rebounds over his last five games.
The Bulls are also getting big time production out of Carlos Boozer, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds against Cleveland. Boozer is averaging 24 points and 13 rebounds over his last five games. In the first meeting with Toronto, Boozer had a season-high 34 points and 12 rebounds.
Toronto has been short-handed their last couple of games, but are expecting to get Andrew Bargnani and Jerryd Bayless both back tonight, but may lose Jose Calderon, as he is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain. Bargnani didn’t play against Chicago earlier this season, and figures to be a big factor if he can suit up and play tonight.
DeMar DeRozan has done a pretty good job picking up the scoring slack the last couple games. DeRozan dropped 37 on the Rockets on Friday, and then scored 27 against the Celtics on Sunday. If Toronto can continue to get this kind of scoring out of DeRozan when everyone is back in the lineup, the Raptors could be primed to go on a little run.
While the Bulls have struggled against Toronto at home in the past, Chicago didn’t have the tandem of Boozer and Rose. The Bulls are 14-3 at home this season, while the Raptors are just 4-12 on the road. I think you lay the points and take the Bulls in this one. Even though Toronto is getting players back, they likely aren’t going to be in game shape right away, and won’t be much of a factor in this one.
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