Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors Picks and Predictions – Thursday February 5, 2026
Chicago heads north for a Thursday night spot at Scotiabank Arena, with tip set for 7:30 PM on Amaz. The Bulls are 24-27 and stuck in a short skid, but their offense is still live because they play fast and generate a lot of clean looks when the pace gets loose. Toronto is 30-22 and sitting in a better tier of the East race, but they just dropped a tight one and they’re still tinkering with lineups as the deadline approaches.
The betting market has Toronto laying a full nine at home with a mid-220s total. That tells you the expectation is Raptors control, Bulls offense comes back to earth, and Toronto’s defense wins enough possessions to create separation. The angle for bettors is whether Chicago’s tempo forces a closer game than the spread suggests.
Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors Odds
These are current betting lines, but bettors should keep monitoring the latest NBA odds as availability and market pressure can shift the number close to tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls | +295 | +9.0 (-114) | O/U 226.5 |
| Toronto Raptors | -373 | -9.0 (-109) | O/U 226.5 |
Chicago Bulls Betting Form
Chicago’s offense is the reason they’re attractive as a dog. They score in volume, they play with one of the quicker tempos in the league, and they can get hot from three in a way that flips spreads in a hurry. Even in losses, you see stretches where the Bulls are getting downhill, spraying to shooters, and forcing the opponent to defend multiple actions in the same possession.
The concern is defense and shot selection. When Chicago is turning the ball over or settling early, the game can get away from them because they’re not built to grind. But when the pace is high and the threes are falling at even an average clip, +9 becomes a lot of room, especially against teams that prefer to play more controlled possessions.
For recent form and matchup context, check the Chicago Bulls stats and results. For availability, use the linked Chicago Bulls injury report before betting.
Toronto Raptors Betting Form
Toronto has been the steadier team overall, and the profile makes sense for a favorite in this range. They defend at a solid level, they can score without needing a track meet, and they’ve shown they can build leads when opponents give away possessions. The lineup experimenting is important, though. Rotation changes can impact pace, spacing, and late-game offense, and that matters when you’re laying margin rather than just picking a winner.
Against a Bulls team that wants to run, Toronto’s job is to control transition defense and force Chicago into half-court possessions. If the Raptors keep the Bulls off the offensive glass and avoid live-ball turnovers, they should be able to dictate shot quality and stay in the driver’s seat.
For home splits and trends, check the Toronto Raptors schedule and stats. For availability, use the linked Toronto Raptors injury report before you lock anything in.
Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors Matchup Breakdown
This game is a pace and possession battle. Chicago wants volume. More possessions means more threes, more transition chances, and more variance, which is exactly what the underdog needs. Toronto would rather make this a half-court game where their defensive structure shows up and the Bulls have to score against set coverage.
The spread is the key number. Toronto can absolutely win and still struggle to cover if Chicago is merely average from three and keeps attacking the rim to draw fouls. A nine-point favorite needs consistent separation, and separation is harder to maintain against a fast team if you have even a short scoring dip.
The total at 226.5 is reasonable given Chicago’s tempo, but Toronto’s defense and preferred pace are the counterweight. If the Raptors succeed in turning this into longer possessions and fewer transition looks, the under becomes live even if Toronto wins clean. If Chicago forces the game open and you see early-clock threes on both ends, the over is in play quickly. If you want a quick refresher on how tempo and efficiency affect totals and spreads, the NBA betting guide is a good baseline.
Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Bulls +9. Chicago’s offense travels better than their defense, and that’s fine when you’re catching points. If the Bulls are making threes at a normal rate and not hemorrhaging turnovers, they can hang around all night. Toronto is the better team in this spot, but the number is asking for a clean margin against a high-tempo opponent that can create scoring bursts.
On the total, I lean under 226.5. The easiest way this stays under is Toronto controlling pace and forcing Chicago into half-court possessions where the Bulls take tougher shots. The Bulls can score, but their efficiency can swing when the game slows and the threes are more contested. Toronto’s defensive profile supports that script.
If the spread moves toward +10 or higher, I like the Bulls more. If it drops toward +7.5, most of the value is gone because Toronto can win by eight or nine without ever looking threatened.
Best Bet: Chicago Bulls +9.0 (-114)
NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting NBA daily, the NBA picks page is a fast way to compare your positions to the rest of the board, and the NBA previews hub helps when you’re scanning the slate for pace, matchup, and spot angles.
To track proven performance over time, use the best handicappers and the live leaderboard. If you want full-card access, options are available through Buy Picks. For general betting fundamentals and market concepts beyond one matchup, keep the Expert Betting Guide handy, and the NBA teams hub makes it easy to jump between team pages when you’re comparing form across the league.



