Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors Predictions

Toronto has the clearer path to a win

Toronto is a 9.5-point home favorite with a -425 moneyline, compared with +330 for Chicago. Fox Sports Radio 1230 / iHeartMedia reports that Bulls center Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury, a meaningful absence for an underdog already facing a wide spread.

Last season's defense also favors Toronto. The Raptors allowed 111.8 points per game, while the Bulls allowed 121.5. Those figures help explain why Toronto is favored, but they don't make a -425 price attractive without current-season results or confirmed starters.

Chicago's shooting could affect the spread

Chicago averaged 116.3 points and made 14.3 three-pointers per game in 2025-26. Toronto allowed 12.5 made threes per game. If the Bulls maintain that outside shooting, they could stay within 9.5 points even if Toronto wins.

Chicago lists Tobe Awaka, Leonard Miller, Zach Collins and Isaac Okoro as probable. Jordan Hawkins and Dailyn Swain are day-to-day with gastrointestinal illness, while Toronto's Nate Bittle is out with an avulsion injury. Those unresolved Chicago absences make the underdog spread difficult to back before availability is confirmed.

Betting outlook

The total is 236.5, with the over at -112 and the under at -108. Last season's scoring and defensive averages don't provide enough evidence for a total bet in the first game of a new season. The pick is Toronto to win, but the wager is a pass.