Not again! The Toronto Raptors coughed up a huge lead for the second game running, blowing a 16-point advantage in the final quarter to absorb a gut-wrenching 102-101 defeat to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. There appears to be no end in sight for Toronto’s woes as the Raptors lost for the 10th time in their last 14 games.
Kyle Lowry didn’t mince his words when asked about Toronto’s latest collapse, saying “Something’s got to give, something’s got to change.” One thing that needs to change fast for the Raptors is their atrocious play in the fourth quarter. Toronto shot just 37 percent in the final period against Detroit and had three turnovers. The Raptors were also outrebounded 14-4 and gave up seven second-chance points in that heart-breaking loss.
Dwane Casey will hope his wards can turn things around against the injury-plagued Chicago Bulls later tonight. Their recent record against the Bulls doesn’t inspire confidence, though, with Toronto losing each of its last 10 meetings with Chicago. The Bulls have covered the spread in all 10 of these games as well. The Bulls edged past the Raptors, 123-118, in their first showdown this season with Toronto also surrendering a 19-point lead in that contest.
The Raptors are 2-8 SU and 4-6 ATS in their last 10 road games.
The Chicago Bulls ended their six-game road trip on a sour note as they crashed to a humiliating 117-89 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. They simply had no answer for the red-hot Wolves who shot an incredible 54 percent from the field. As a result of that loss, the road-weary Bulls finished their trip with a woeful 2-4 record.
The Bulls will look to turn things around at United Center where they are 15-11 this season. They have struggled mightily in this building of late, however, losing two of their last three home games. For the Bulls to open their three-game home stand with a victory against Toronto, they need to improve on their play on the offensive end. Chicago turned the ball over 18 times, was outrebounded 46-35 and was outscored 56-38 in the paint by Minnesota.
That was quite expected though as the Bulls missed the services of Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, Nikola Mirotic and Paul Zipser in that ballgame. Butler aggravated a bruised right heel on Friday night against the Phoenix Suns and is a major doubt for Tuesday’s clash with Toronto. The same goes for Wade who missed Sunday’s game with a swollen right wrist, although X-rays showed there were no fractures.
With Butler and Wade possibly sidelined for the crunch showdown with the Raptors, the onus is on Chicago’s role players to step up their play tonight. Doug McDermott made a good account of himself in the loss to Minnesota, scoring 16 points, including four three-pointers. The Bulls, for that matter, hit 10 of 25 3-pointers against the Wolves, the first time in 16 games they have hit at least 10. That’s something the offense can build on for the game against Toronto.
The Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raptors (-7) finally end their losing rut against the Bulls with a 102-99 victory.
