Phew. Three video games in and the Raptors have taken us on the Canadian Minebuster already. So how are we liking the new-look Toronto? All of the ups, downs, twists, turns, professionals and cons of a staff brimmed with youthful juvenescence. Thus far we’ve seen an energy-filled, defensively-stout, chaotic staff that feasts on damaged performs and disruption. A staff that — a lot faster than the NBA norm — finds itself with a crystal-clear staff identification. Bodily constructed on size, size and few extra inches of size. Systematically constructed on physically-imposing POA protection, superior defensive versatility and hyper-switching capacity. Offensively? Your guess is nearly as good as mine. Within the Raptors lone win this season vs. the Boston Celtics, Toronto appeared nearly as good as humanly doable for a the staff boasts the seventh youngest roster within the league. Roster-wise, the brightest spots start and finish with dynamic rookie Scottie Barnes. Via three video games, he hasn’t simply been probably the most constant Toronto Raptor, however fairly simply probably the most dominant.
Scottie Barnes in his first three video games:
18.0 PPG
10.0 RPG (4.3 ORB)
1.7 APG
52.4% FG
32.7 MPG
Toronto received an excellent one pic.twitter.com/MIAwjkIO5K
— ProCity Hoops (@ProCityHoops) October 24, 2021
With the concentrate on the 3-0 Bulls — who’s shortly cemented themselves as one of many true ‘NBA League Move’ groups throughout the league. An unbeaten roster with boundless athleticism paired with a swish mixture of outdoor taking pictures and silky-smooth slashing. All of that with a sprinkle of enjoyable and energetic defensive sequences, cheered on by a newly-invigorated Chicago Bulls fanbase.
Blocked by Ayo…
then blocked by Zo!@NBCSChicago | #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/ZhXXHXDCu2
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 24, 2021
Regardless of the Windy Metropolis’s new and glossy free agent toys hijacking the early headlines — the core of Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic have held down the fort admirably to start the season. That isn’t to say Alex Caruso or Lonzo Ball haven’t had their moments. This can be a staff that’s requested two (actually three, for those who rely Vucevic’s late 2020 season addition) gamers in Ball and DeRozan to take lead of a franchise that’s shortly turn out to be perennial losers as of late. With the added playmaking and slashing capacity of each gamers, the Bulls look way more balanced than the mundane 2020-2021 iteration. DeRozan has match into Chi-City seamlessly with season averages of 21.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4 apg and 1 spg. Unsurprisingly, LaVine stays their main scorer with 26.7 ppg.
Irrespective of how you set it, it’s comforting to see DeRozan get pleasure from basketball in a metropolis that wholly appreciates him… for him. In what many deemed a extremely questionable choice to hitch the non-contending Bulls, DeRozan noticed it as the proper alternative. Relatively than becoming a member of celebrity forces with LeBron James in LA, or taking much less cash to hitch one other megastar like Stephen Curry, maybe — DeMar appeared fully content material with utilizing the previous couple of years of his basketball prime to steer a franchise out of its darkish ages and shortly rework right into a successful tradition — very similar to he did in Toronto.
And by all accounts, he’s off to an excellent begin.
Sport Information
Tipoff: 7:30pm EST | TV: TSN4 / NBCS-CHI | Radio: TSN 1050. And we received a bonus code to guess with bet365 obtainable for those who want to strive your luck.
Bulls Lineup
PG: Lonzo Ball, Javonte Inexperienced, Ayo Dosunmu
SG: Zach Lavine, Alex Caruso
SF: DeMar DeRozan, Troy Brown, Derrick Jones Jr.
PF: Patrick Williams, Alize Johnson, Tyler Prepare dinner
C: Nikola Vucevic, Tony Bradley, Marko Simonovic
OUT: Coby White (shoulder)
Raptors Lineup
PG: Fred VanVleet, Goran Dragic, Dalano Banton, Malachi Flynn
SG: Gary Trent Jr, Svi Mykhailiuk, Isaac Bonga, David Johnson
SF: OG Anunoby, Justin Champagnie, Sam Dekker
PF: Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher
C: Valuable Achiuwa, Khem Birch
OUT: Pascal Siakam (shoulder), Yuta Watanabe (calf)
Excellent news for Yuta! Aaron Rose of Sports activities Illustrated studies that Watanabe will miss Monday’s recreation versus Chicago, nevertheless will resume training with the Raptors on Tuesday. Rose notes that the ahead might spend a while within the NBA G-League earlier than formally rejoining the Raptors.
The Line
Very similar to Dallas, Chicago can also be favoured by 3.5 factors. The over/beneath complete sits at 212. Wager responsibly!
NOTE: When you’re an avid reader/supporter of Raptors Republic, don’t neglect to hitch myself, Oren Weisfeld and Adon Moss on our new LIVE postgame present ‘Rap Up’. A few of you have been with us throughout our debut final season, and we admire the timeless loyalty in an extremely tough season.
If the usual ‘Fast Response Grades’ remark part simply doesn’t do it anymore and also you’re completely itching to debate, scream, shout (or, I don’t know – nearly hug) in a stay remark part simply because the buzzer sounds, we’ll be ready!
Each. Sport. Of. The. Season.
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Tip Sahal Abdi
Gameday: Bulls @ Raptors, Oct. 25 originated on Raptors Republic.
