Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls (+6, 201.5)

The Toronto Raptors have lost seven straight games against Chicago and seek to halt the skid when they visit the Bulls on Friday. Toronto, which has the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, hasn't defeated Chicago since recording an 85-79 road victory Dec. 31, 2013.

The Bulls fell 106-95 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday for their fifth straight loss and seventh in eight games. "We've just got to stay together through the good, the bad and the ugly - and it's the ugly right now," Chicago point guard Derrick Rose said afterward. "I'm going to keep controlling what I can control. We're trying to fight to be in the playoffs." The Raptors won 14 of their last 16 games prior to the All-Star break and being one of the best teams in the league is new ground for the franchise. "I think this time around we haven’t let our success, winning games, any of that, get to our heads," All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters. "We still feel like we have a long way to go. This time around it feels like we haven't done anything."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), CSN Chicago

LINE HISTORY: The Raptors opened as 5.5-point road favorites and have been bet to -6 in what will be the Bulls' second game in two nights. The total hasn't moved off the opening number of 201.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Raptors - F D. Carroll (out indefinitely, knee).

Bulls - G J. Butler (Early March, knee), PF N. Mirotic (Mid March, appendix), C J. Noah (out for season, shoulder).

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Raptors (-7.3) - Bulls (-2) + home court (-3) = Bulls +2.3

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "It may be a good spot to take the Raptors on Friday. They catch Chicago coming off the game versus Cleveland and are 5-0 SU/4-1 ATS when working on 3 or more days rest. While the Bulls did manage to cover in last night's loss, they're still worst ATS team in the league." - Covers Expert Power Sports.

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "The Bulls are coming off a 106-95 loss to Cleveland in Cleveland last night and are 6 point underdogs at home to the 2nd place Toronto Raptors (The Bulls are 3-4 in back to back sets this year in the second game).  The Bulls are getting over 85% of the early action to cover the +6 as home dogs." - Michael Stewart of CarbonGaming.ag.

DANCE TEAM WAR:

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (35-17, 29-23 ATS, 26-25-1 O/U): Toronto didn't make a move prior to Thursday's trading deadline, which sends a signal that the organization feels it can compete with the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers should the teams square off in a playoff series. "That’s a strong statement to our players: We believe in them, this is what we're going into battle with," Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters after Thursday's practice. "Our charge is to every day get better, whether it's passing, footwork, whatever it is, something small. Get better." Small forward DeMarre Carroll is nearing a return from early January knee surgery and the Raptors view him as the extra contributor they are currently lacking.

ABOUT THE BULLS (27-26, 20-33 ATS, 27-25-1 O/U): All-Star center Pau Gasol was shopped prior to Thursday's trading deadline but Chicago didn't find a match and Gasol will finish the season with the Bulls. Gasol is a free agent after the season and he reiterated after Thursday's game that he is open to re-signing with the club. "I was surprised there was so much noise about it," Gasol told reporters. "The positive is hearing that a lot of teams are interested in my services. The negative is the uncertainty and waiting for your team to pull the trigger. If they didn't trade me, the assumption is they would like to keep me. I assume that's their mindset."

TWEET BEAT:

TRENDS:

* Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
* Raptors are 0-7 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Bulls are 0-5 ATS in their last five home games.
* Under is 5-0 in Bulls last five versus Eastern Conference teams.

COVERS CONSENSUS: Despite the history, bettors think Toronto will buck the trend, with 61 percent of wagers backing the Raptors. As for the total, 63 percent of wagers on the over.

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