The rebuilding Toronto Raptors look to snap their five-game losing streak against the Chicago Bulls.
The Raptors have a record of 16-30, as they continue to usher in this new era of the Raptors basketball centered around Scottie Barnes.
Toronto is coming off a buzzer-beating loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. However, it was an admirable effort with no RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl.
Barnes and Jordan Nwora led the way with 24 points, but Nwora shined especially. After being traded to the Raptors in the Pascal Siakam trade, he had 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes.
With no Barrett and Quickley again on Tuesday, Nwora will assumingely get more opportunity to play. However, Jakob Poeltl is listed as questionable after missing 10 straight with an ankle injury.
Chicago will be without Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams, who was diagnosed with an acute bone edema today.
The Bulls lead the season series 2-1 and this an opportunity for Toronto to tie it at 2-2 in the final regular season meeting.
Jan. 18 was the last meeting between these two when Chicago won 116-110. Barnes dropped 31 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.
Demar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Coby White all had 20 or more points. For the Raptors, they will have to keep these three in check, if they hope to get a win.
Lacking two scoring options in Quickley and Barrett, Toronto needs players like Nwora, Gary Trent Jr., Dennis Schroder and Bruce Brown to step up to replace that production.
Chicago Bulls (22-25) vs. Toronto Raptors (16-30)
8:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, January 30, 2024
United Center, Chicago, Illinois
TV: Sportsnet
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: Gary Trent Jr.
SF: Bruce Brown
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Thaddeus Young
Key Reserves: Gradey Dick, Jordan Nwora, Jontay Porter
Projected Bulls Starting Lineup:
PG: Ayo Dosunmu
SG: Coby White
SF: Alex Caruso
PF: Demar DeRozan
C: Nikola Vucevic
Key Reserves: Andre Drummond, Julian Phillips, Jevon Carter
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