Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls 5/13/21 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The Toronto Raptors, already out of the playoff picture-snapping an 8-year streak, will travel on the road to the United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls. The Raptors have lost 4 straight games, fresh off a 115-96 loss at home to the Clippers which dropped Toronto to 27-42 and 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls cling to a small chance of making the playoffs after winning three of their last four but lost 115-107 to the Nets dropping to 29-40, 2.5 games back of the final play in spot. 

Toronto is a below-average offense this season averaging 111.4 points per game ranking 19th in scoring offense, they’ve been inefficient shooting 44.8% from the field which is 26th in the NBA, but have shot the three well at 36.9% from beyond the arc. 

The two-man duo of Pascal Siakam, who inked a massive extension this offseason, and Fred VanVleet lead the way for Toronto this year. Siakam has put up solid numbers averaging 21.4 points and leading the team with 7.2 rebounds per contest. Fred VanVleet is scoring 19.6 points per game on an inefficient 38.9% shooting, he’s leading the team with 6.3 assists per contest. 

Chicago has also left a lot to be desired on the offensive end averaging 110.8 points per game ranking 21st in the NBA in scoring offense. The Bulls are shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.9% from beyond the arc, both near the league average. The Bulls picked up center Nikola Vicevic at the trade deadline to help make a playoff push and he’s put up a double-double with 22.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.

The real story of this Chicago team has been the emergence of Zach LaVine as an NBA star, he’s averaging 27.5 points on an efficient 50.6/41.9/84.9 shooting line. He’s also leading the team with 4.9 assists. Young point guard Coby White has had a solid second season, he’s averaging 15.2 points per game and is second on the Bulls with 4.7 assists per game. 

Chicago has been a solid defensive unit this season allowing 111.5 points per game ranking 14th in the NBA in scoring defense. Opponents are shooting 47.4% from the field, 23rd in field-goal defense, but have been defended the perimeter well holding opponents to 35.6% from beyond the arc, the 6th best in the NBA.

Toronto has struggled this season, but they’ve been very good on the defensive end allowing 111.5 points per game ranking 12th in the league in scoring defense. Toronto has held opponents to 45.9% from the field, 8th in field-goal defense, but have struggled to defend the perimeter allowing opponents to shoot 37.7% from beyond the arc.