Game preview and injury report: Chicago Bulls look to maintain momentum on the road vs. Toronto Raptors

The Chicago Bulls (28-33) visit the Toronto Raptors (30-32) tonight. The Bulls are coming off of a 102-82 home win against the Wizards on Sunday. DeMar DeRozan led the way with 29 points and six assists, Zach LaVine had 27 points and four assists, and Nikola Vucevic added 16 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.

Chicago Bulls (28-33) vs. Toronto Raptors (30-32)

Tuesday, February 28 – 07:30 PM ET at Scotiabank Arena

Chicago Bulls

Points Per Game: 113.2 (19th of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 112.4 (10th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 30.2 (24th of 30)
Pace: 99.4 (15th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 112.9 (24th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 112.1 (5th of 30)
Net Rating: +0.8 (14th of 30)

Toronto Raptors

Points Per Game: 112.7 (21st of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 112.2 (9th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 27.6 (28th of 30)
Pace: 97.5 (25th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 114.9 (14th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 114.3 (16th of 30)
Net Rating: +0.6 (16th of 30)

Contain Pascal Siakam

Pascal Siakam had 25 points on 10-of-24 shooting and 4-of-7 from three-point range with eight rebounds and five assists in Sunday’s 118-93 road loss against the Cavaliers.

The only positive takeaway from the tough setback in Cleveland is that the Raptors were able to get Siakam additional rest in the fourth quarter.

Siakam has now scored 25 points or more in his last seven games, one shy of his season-high. The star forward is averaging 26.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 36.9 minutes over his last 10 games, and the Bulls must contain Siakam to win their 29th game this season.

Keep playing with energy and effort

The Bulls have held opponents below 90 points in back-to-back games for the first time since April 2017. Zach LaVine was asked about what’s working for the Bulls on defense.

“Effort and energy. We’re holding people accountable. Everybody is going out there with the same mentality. Even if you make a mistake, move on to the next play and do it better,” LaVine answered.

The Bulls have 21 games to save their season. Every matchup should be treated as a must-win playoff game, and the team has to maintain the momentum from two previous wins. It could all be worth nothing if they can’t beat the Raptors on Tuesday.

Noteworthy

The Bulls won the last meeting, 111-97 on November 7. LaVine led the Bulls with 30 points.

Chicago beat Toronto two of the last three times.

The Bulls are 7-3 in the last 10 games against the Raptors.

Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Caruso, LaVine, DeRozan, Beverley

Raptors’ projected lineup: Poeltl, Siakam, Anunoby, Barnes, VanVleet

Bulls’ Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) and Goran Dragic (left knee soreness) will also miss this game.

Raptors’ Injury Report: Otto Porter Jr. (season-ending surgery on his left foot) is out against the Bulls.