NBA Playoff Picks, Predictions: How Should You Be Betting Raptors vs. Bulls?
The Raptors host the Bulls in the second game of the second night of the 2023 Play-In tournament to decide who makes it to the 2023 playoffs. How should you be betting on this game? Ben Rajavuori breaks it down.
Ben Rajavuori - April 12, 2023, 4:59 PM EDT
5 minNBA Playoff Picks, Predictions: How Should You Be Betting Raptors vs. Bulls?
The Raptors host the Bulls in the second game of the second night of the 2023 Play-In tournament to decide who makes it to the 2023 playoffs. The Raptors are 6-point favorites to take care of business tonight, and while I think the win, there is a player that has stuck out to me in this matchup.
Raptors vs. Bulls Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
- Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Click here for Raptors vs. Bulls odds
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Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction
Gary Trent Jr. emerged as one of the key players for the Toronto Raptors last season. The 24-year-old shooting guard has been a consistent performer, and his three-point shooting is one of the reasons why he has been able to make a mark in the league. With Trent's impressive track record against the Bulls, I love him to get hot from deep tonight.
Gary Trent Jr. has been in excellent form this season, and he has been hot from three lately, hitting over 1.5 three-pointers made in 21 of his last 30 games (70%). Trent loves to shoot from deep, and he averages 6.8 three-point attempts per game this season, which is second on the team behind Fred VanVleet. His shooting ability has been critical for the Raptors this season, and he has been shooting the ball as well as anyone on the team from deep, averaging 37% from beyond the arc, which is second behind O.G. Anunoby at 38.7%.
In addition to his excellent shooting form in general, Trent has a good track record against the Bulls specifically. He has played nine games against the Bulls in his career, and he has made at least two threes in eight of them, going 1 for 5 from deep in the lone miss. This alone is enough to convince me on this bet. The Bulls are the second-worst team in the league in defending against shooting guards shooting from beyond the arc, allowing 3.57 threes to shooting guards per game, only above the Rockets.
The Chicago defense is excellent inside the perimeter, which has forced a lot of deep looks from opposing teams. As a result, Chicago has allowed the third-highest three-point percentage in the league and is 29th in opponent three-point shot quality. This means the Raptors will likely have to take plenty of shots from beyond the arc if they want to win the game, and that is where Trent will emerge as a key piece in this game. He loves to shoot it from deep, and he will attempt at least seven threes tonight, I predict.
Trent is coming off an excellent shooting game where he shot 4-7 from beyond the arc. He has hit 2+ threes in four of his last six games, with the two misses coming against the Celtics, who have the second-best defense in the league. He was also playing low minutes in those games.
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Gary Trent Jr. is an excellent shooter from beyond the arc, and he has a good track record against the Bulls. He is likely to get plenty of opportunities to shoot from deep in the game, and he is a near-40% career three-point shooter, which means we only need him to attempt five or so to hit this, which he easily will. With Trent's record against the Bulls, I don't think there's any way he doesn't make at least two threes in the game.
Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls Pick
Pick: Gary Trent Jr. O1.5 Threes Made @ (-135) Bet $100 to collect $174 PointsBet has the best odds; click here to bet
