The Toronto Raptors will try to snap their four-game losing streak when they host the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls come into this matchup relatively healthy, meanwhile the Raptors are still dealing with a bunch of injuries. Scottie Barnes, (ankle sprain), Immanuel Quickley (partial UCL tear), Bruce Brown (knee) and Jamison Battle (ankle) are all out. Battle suffered an ankle injury while on assignment with Raptors 905 on Friday against the Delaware Blue Coats.
For the Bulls Lonzo Ball (knee) is probable, Zach LaVine (back spasms) along with Dalen terry (knee) are questionable and E.J. Liddell (knee) is out. The big injury is LaVine. He hasn’t missed a game since early November and he’s the Bulls leading scorer so if he’s unable to go that would be a huge break for the Raptors.
RJ Barrett will look to bounce back playing at Scotiabank Arena after a rough performance in Miami where he shot 5-for-18 from the field. The Raptors will need Barrett’s scoring and his playmaking since he will operate as the primary ball handler. Barrett has thrived in the pick and roll, but he had 6 turnovers in his last game. Barrett’s playmaking will be critical for the Raptors in this one to be able to set up his teammates like Jakob Poeltl, Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick.
The Bulls give up a ton of looks at the basket and are bottom-10 in opponent field goal percentage so the Raptors should be able to get to the hoop and feast on easy looks.
Chicago Bulls (11-15) vs. Toronto Raptors (7-19)
7:30 p.m. EST, Monday December 16, 2024
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
TV: TSN
Projected Bulls Starting Lineup:
PG: Coby White
SG: Ayo Dosunmu
SF: Zach Lavine
PF: Josh Giddey
C: Nikola Vucevic
Key Reserves: Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams, Matas Buzelis
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: RJ Barrett
SG: Gradey Dick
SF: Ja'Kobe Walter
PF: Broken Black
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Davion Mitchell, Jamal Shead, Kelly Olynyk
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