NBA Play-In: Predicting Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls

The Philadelphia 76ers can sit back and watch the Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls battle it out in the NBA Play-In game on Wednesday night.

The NBA Play-In Tournament continues on Wednesday night. Next up in the Eastern Conference’s battle for the final seed is the matchup between the Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls.

Wednesday’s game will serve as a do-or-die matchup for both teams. The winner will advance to the next phase of the Play-In, drawing a do-or-die game against the Miami Heat. The loser will pack their bags and begin preparing for the 2023-2024 NBA season. 

The Raptors finished the 2022-2023 season with a 41-41 record. They finished the year as the Eastern Conference’s ninth seed after finishing fifth last year. 

Meanwhile, the Bulls wrapped up the season with a disappointing 40-42 record. Similar to the Raptors, the Bulls are in a different situation this time around after they made the playoffs without the Play-In last season.

This season, the Raptors and the Bulls faced each other three times. During the November 6 matchup, the Raptors took down Chicago 113-104. The following night, the Bulls bounced back with a 111-97 win at home against Toronto.

The two teams last faced each other in late February. At the time, the Raptors snagged a tight win, taking down Chicago 104-98. The two teams will go head-to-head for the fourth and final time this season on Wednesday night. 

Game Details

Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls

Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Time: 7:00 PM ET.

Location: Scotiabank Arena

How to Watch

TV Broadcast: ESPN/TSN

Live Stream: Click Here

Game Odds

Spread: Raptors -6.5

Moneyline: TOR -225, CHI +188

Total O/U: 212.5

*All Odds are Provided by SI Sportsbook

Prediction

Spread: Bulls +6.5

Moneyline: TOR -225

Total O/U: OVER 212.5

Closing out the regular season, the Bulls found success in their last ten games on the road as they went 8-2. Unfortunately for Chicago, their recent record of playing in Toronto isn’t kind. In the last 11 games the Bulls played the Raptors away from home, Chicago holds a 2-9 record.

As mentioned above, the Raptors are also 2-1 over the Bulls this season, with both of those games taking place at Scotiabank Arena, where the two teams will meet on Wednesday. While I anticipate a close matchup between the Bulls and the Raptors, Toronto might have an edge. 

Eastern Conference Playoff Standings

1. Milwaukee Bucks

2. Boston Celtics

3. Philadelphia 76ers

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

5. New York Knicks

6. Brooklyn Nets

7. Atlanta Hawks 

8. Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, or Chicago Bulls