Four years ago, the Toronto Raptors made NBA betting history. Specifically, the Raptors won the NBA championship for the first time. And they ended the Golden State Warriors dynasty. Since then, the Raps have been unable to reach such heights again. Kawhi Leonard, the 2019 NBA Finals MVP, departed for the LA Clippers immediately after Toronto won the title. While head coach Nick Nurse has gotten everything he can from what remained, Toronto lacks the firepower to make a serious run in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. But Wednesday’s play-in game against Chicago is a probable win.
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors Information
| Date: |
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 |
| Time: |
7 p.m. ET |
| Location: |
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario |
| TV Coverage: |
ESPN |
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Odds
| Team |
SP/RL |
TOTAL |
ML |
|
| Bulls |
+5 ( -110 ) |
214½ ( -110 ) |
+180 |
Place Bets |
| Raptors |
-5 ( -110 ) |
214½ ( -110 ) |
-220 |
| Place Bets |
Bulls vs. Raptors CashBet Wagering Analysis
In this situation, Toronto has a better recent run of best sportsbook online postseason appearances. Chicago is not a popular or trusted brand with gamblers: the casual sector and sharps like Toronto’s playoff experience and home-court advantage.
Bulls Limp In With the Final Seed
Late on, Chicago has covered four out of their last six games. At the same time, the Bulls have gone over the betting on NBA total in two of its previous six matchups. Chicago is 10th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Chicago is 18 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Overall, Chicago has NBA ranks of 22nd for scoring offense, 4th for field goal percentage, 16th for 3-point field goal percentage, 5th for free throw percentage, and 22nd for offensive rebounding. While on defense, the Bulls rank 7th for scoring defense, 8th for field goal percentage permitted, 13th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 16th for defensive rebounding.
The Chicago Bulls are 40-42 straight up, 40-39-3 against the spread, and 36-44-2 over/under the total. First among Chicago scorers is Zach LaVine, with 24.8 points per game.
The Chicago Bulls epitomizes what the NBA Play-In round is all about. The Bulls have no business in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. But the business of pro sports is business. And the NBA Play-In round is all about generating extra TV revenue. And the sportsbooks are certainly glad to take betting action where none was available.
Now, Chicago will face the equally bad Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. The Bulls and Raptors are the final two teams that qualified for the Eastern Conference Play-In. The winner will advance to face the Atlanta Hawks or Miami Heat.
Raptors Flash Playoff Experience
Consider Toronto has covered three out of their last five games. In comparison, the Raptors have gone over the pro basketball betting total in four of its previous six matchups. Concurrently, Toronto is 9th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Toronto is 17 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Toronto has NBA ranks of 24th for scoring offense, 27th for field goal percentage, 28th for 3-point field goal percentage, 17th for free throw percentage, and 18th for offensive rebounding. In turn, on defense, the Raptors rank 4th for scoring defense, 27th for field goal percentage permitted, 28th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 10th for defensive rebounding.
The Toronto Raptors are 41-41 straight up, 42-39-1 against the spread, and 46-36 over/under the total. First among Toronto scorers is Pascal Siakam, with 24.2 points per game.
Namely, Kyle Lowry joined Toronto in 2012 and teamed up with DeMar DeRozan to make the Raptors a reliable playoff team. Toronto won 48 games or more for seven straight seasons, and the Raptors went all-in in the summer of 2018. The Raptors dealt DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard. Hence, Masai Ujiri saw this as the best way for Toronto to win the title.
Although Leonard only spent one year with the Raptors, he did lead the franchise to its first NBA championship, and he will always hold a special place in the heart of fans.
Bulls vs. Raptors CashBet Free Pick
In sum, Toronto is too much in this NBA gambling matchup for the Bulls.
Bulls vs. Raptors CashBet Best Bet
Toronto Raptors
