- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Jimmy Butler may return, but it will take a mighty effort to change the fortunes of the Chicago Bulls who go on the road to take on the in-form Toronto Raptors. Join The Roar for live scores of this match starting from 10:30am (AEDT).
The Bulls are in dire straights. Despite the fact they should get All Star Butler back, both Pau Gasol (knee) and Derrick Rose (left groin) are expected to miss the game.
Losing two of their best three players, and having one likely to be on limited minutes in his return from injury, is going to hurt big time.
The news only gets worse for Chicago, who have recently dropped out of the Eastern Conference eight to sit a whole game back from the Detroit Pistons, with 18 to go in the season. Losing six out of their last eight was never going to be a formula to make the post-season.
Their last match, away against the Miami Heat, saw the Bulls outscored by 19 in the final quarter, through a lack of effort more than anything. Defence and ball security have been their biggest issues.
The Raptors though are doing an awesome job on the back of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. The guard combo is working a treat, and the team are in second place, just 2.5 games back from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In stark contrast to the Bulls, Toronto have won five of their last six games, although not that convincingly. Their last-start win against the Heat impressed though, with the only statistical difference being shooting percentage. It showed a willingness to find good shots, and put the pressure on defensively.
The teams have already faced each other three times this season, making this the final meeting. Despite the difference in current ladder positions, the Bulls have won all three meetings, including the one played in Toronto. In fact, the Bulls have won nine in a row over the Raptors during the NBA regular season, dating back to 2014.
Prediction
Despite the streak, the Raptors should get the job done at home against a Bulls side that has been less than impressive.
Raptors by 7.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 10:30am (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde