Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls
Records: Raptors (12-4); Bulls (4-12)
Where to Watch
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: TSN 1/3/4
Radio: TSN Radio 1050
Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
Game Preview
Chicago Bulls
Following a tough overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday, the Toronto Raptors travel to Chicago on Saturday to take on the Bulls.
Chicago is led by explosive guard Zach LaVine. Fresh off of signing a $78 million extension with the Bulls in the offseason, LaVine is off to a remarkable start this season with averages of 25.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
Only 10 players are currently scoring more on a nightly basis and each player ahead of LaVine has been an All-Star at least once in their career.
LaVine has, however, cooled off lately. Since scoring 41 points against the New York Knicks on Nov. 5, the 23-year-old is averaging 19.4 points on 34.3 percent shooting from the field and 18.2 percent from the perimeter.
If Chicago has any chance of beating Toronto on Saturday, they'll need LaVine to get his game back on track.
Other players to watch on the Bulls are Jabari Parker and Wendell Carter Jr.
Parker is Chicago's second-leading scorer with 15.1 points per game. Carter is only scoring 11.5 points per game, but he's also pulling down 7.6 rebounds, dishing out 2.3 assists and blocking 1.9 shots per game.
Carter's all-around play has him at the No. 5 spot in our latest rookie rankings.
Luka Doncic led the Mavs to a 4-2 record between Nov. 2 - 14 and tops the Rookie Ladder, presented by @juicyfruit!
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) November 15, 2018
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READ MORE: https://t.co/v8A2AgaI6t pic.twitter.com/mjoYQQVKvp
The Bulls will be without Kris Dunn, Lauri Markkanen, Bobby Portis and Denzel Valentine against the Raptors.
Toronto Raptors
Expect the Raptors to come out strong in this one. Despite being on the second night of a back-to-back, they're currently riding a three-game losing streak following losses to the New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics.
Two things in particular have plagued the Raptors this week: 3-point shooting and turnovers.
The Raptors made only 25 of their 94 attempts (26.6 percent) from distance in those three games and turned the ball over a total of 43 times (14.3 per game). 20 of those turnovers came in a buzzer-beating loss to the Pistons in Dwane Casey's return to Toronto.
The Raptors will be without Norman Powell (left shoulder subluxation) and Kawhi Leonard (rest) against the Bulls. They could also be without C.J. Miles and OG Anunoby, both of whom are questionable for Saturday's game.
Look for Kyle Lowry to step up in Leonard's absence. Lowry was playing at an MVP level to start the season, but he's struggled lately with averages of 10.7 points (32.3 percent shooting), 8.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds in their last three games.
Lowry was critical of himself following the team's loss to the Celtics on Friday, saying, "I've got to find a way to get a rhythm and get it back going."
Last Time They Played
Date: Feb. 14, 2018
Score: Raptors 122, Bulls 98
Bulls: Bobby Portis — 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Raptors: Kyle Lowry — 20 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds