Chief Editor
Loading ...
On Wednesday night, the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls will start off the second Play-In Day from north of the border in a 9 vs. 10 matchup. The victor will earn the right to face off against the loser of Miami Heat vs. Hawks game from earlier that night.
Toronto currently has a record of 41-41 on the season. Their offense is hitting on 45.9% from the field, ranking them 27th in the league; they’ve scored 9,254 points this year (112.9 per contest) and grabbed 43.0 boards per game; they assist teammates 23.9 times per contest (23rd in basketball); however they turn the ball over 11.7 times per contest, leading to turnovers at an alarming rate. Furthermore, Toronto commits 20.0 fouls per game while shooting 78.4% from beyond the arc during their time at home.
The Raptors’ defense is ranked 4th in the NBA with 111.4 points allowed per contest, forcing 16.7 turnovers nightly and allowing teams to shoot 49.1% from the field (27th). Toronto gives up 37.4% on 3-point attempts (1,001 of 2,676) and opponents are making 79.7% of their foul shots; they give up 26.2 assists and 42.3 boards per game respectively, ranking them 25th and 10th in basketball conceded percentages.
Chicago enters this matchup with a win-loss record of 40-42 on the year. They are averaging 113.1 points per contest (22nd in the league) while shooting 49.0% from the field. The Bulls are connecting on 36.1% of shots beyond the perimeter (854 of 2,367) and 80.9% from the free throw line. As a team, Chicago is snagging 42.4 rebounds per game and has accumulated 2,006 assists so far this year, which is 20th in the league in terms of passing the rock. They turn it over 13.4 times per contest and as a squad are committing 18.9 fouls every game.
On defense, the Bulls are forcing their opponents into 15.0 turnovers on a nightly basis and they draw 18.7 fouls. They surrender 35.7% from 3-point land and they are ranked 7th in the league in points per game from their opponents (111.8). The Bulls are allowing an opponent FG percentage of 46.8% (3,339 of 7,142) and they concede 43.3 boards per contest as a team. They are 22nd in the league in giving up assists to their opponents with 2,131 conceded for the campaign.
The Raptors won two out of the three matchups with the Bulls this season. The home team won all three games this season.
Both teams boast formidable defensive units, but I put more faith in Chicago’s offensive weapons to secure a victory. While it could be an intensely close game, LaVine and DeMar DeRozan should put on an impressive show down the stretch and secure victory for the Bulls.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.