Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls
Records: Raptors (35-14), Bulls (19-32)
Where to Watch
Date: Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
TV: TSN (Canada), NBC Sports Chicago or NBA League Pass (USA)
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Game Preview
Before the Big Game on Sunday, the Toronto Raptors have a big game of their own as they take the floor to host the Chicago Bulls.
History is in play for the Raptors, who with a win would tie a franchise-record win streak at 11 games. Toronto hasn't lost since Jan. 12.
During this span, Pascal Siakam has paced the Raptors' offence with 21.4 points per game while Fred VanVleet (17.9 ppg, 6.5 apg) and Kyle Lowry (16.6 ppg, 5.8 apg) have each done their part as scorers and playmakers.
In Toronto's most recent win over Detroit, Siakam led the way with 30 points and seven boards while VanVleet nearly recorded a triple-double as he finished with 16 points, nine assists and eight rebounds; VanVleet has been the Raptors' leading rebounder and assists man in the past two games.
Another spicy 30 piece from @pskills43. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Q0vY03OkW9
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 1, 2020
The win did come with a price, though, as the injury bug has bitten once again. Already without Marc Gasol (hamstring) for the near future, Norman Powell suffered a fracture in his fourth metacarpal that will sideline him indefinitely.
Serge Ibaka, who is averaging 23.7 points and 6.7 rebounds over the last three games, has stepped up for Gasol, but who will step up for Powell?
On the topic of injuries, the Bulls have dealt with their fair share – 10 players appear on their injury report for Sunday, with five ruled as "OUT".
Despite their injury woes, Chicago has been playing .500 basketball after a rough start to the calendar year; it is 6-6 over its last 12 games thanks in large part to the play of Zach LaVine, who is averaging a team-best 27.4 points to go along with 5.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists during this span.
26
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 1, 2020
35
20
32
43
25
30
30
23
42
24
25
21
44
23
20
22@ZachLaVine scored at least 20 points in every game in January. pic.twitter.com/uDmJBIzstw
In Chicago's most recent outing, a 15-point loss to Brooklyn, LaVine finished with a team-high 22 points and eight assists. Veteran guard Tomas Satoransky matched LaVine's assists total and added 15 points of his own while centre Luke Kornet scored a season-high 19 points.
Kris Dunn, who has started in 32 of the 51 games in which he has appeared this season, exited the game less than a minute in and is one of the five Bulls that will not play on Sunday. Dunn is averaging 7.3 points and 3.4 assists this season and was part of a three-guard lineup the Bulls were using.
In his absence, Chicago could look to second-year forward Chandler Hutchison or rookie guard Coby White to fill in the starting unit.
There are a number of streaks at play here. In addition to Toronto's current 10-game win streak, it has also won 11 straight games over Chicago. A win for the Raptors would make it 11 straight this season plus 12 straight wins over the Bulls and a third straight season sweep.
Injury Report
Raptors
- Marc Gasol (hamstring) – Out
- Dewan Hernandez (ankle) – Out
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle) – Out
- Norman Powell (hand) – Out
Bulls
- Ryan Arcidiacono (elbow) – Probable
- Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) – Out
- Kris Dunn (knee) – Out
- Daniel Gafford (thumb) – Questionable
- Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) – Probable
- Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) – Out
- Otto Porter Jr. (foot) – Out
- Tomas Satoransky (ankle) – Probable
- Max Strus (knee) – Out
- Denzel Valentine (hip) – Probable
Game Notes
- Toronto is one win away from tying a franchise-record 11-game win streak
- Pascal Siakam is averaging a team-high 20.5 points against Chicago this season
- Bulls guard Zach Lavine has scored 20 or more points in a career-best 17 straight games, dating back to Jan. 2.
- Raptors big man Serge Ibaka has scored 20_ points in a career-high-tying three straight games.
- Toronto is 13-2 at home against Eastern Conference opponents this season
- The Raptors have won 11 straight games over the Bulls. Chicago's last win over Toronto came on Feb. 14, 2017
- With a win, Toronto will have swept the season series with Chicago for a third-straight season.
Last Time They Played
Date: Dec. 9, 2019
Score: Toronto Raptors 93, Chicago Bulls 92
Raptors: Pascal Siakam – 22 PTS, 6 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK
Bulls: Zach LaVine – 20 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK