Bulls vs. Raptors prop picks February 28: Back Barnes to facilitate
The Toronto Raptors host the Chicago Bulls at Scotiabank Arena tonight.
The pregame narrative: Scottie Barnes has been on a scoring slump but we expect him to make up for that in the assists department. Meanwhile, we’re fading Fred VanVleet’s point total in his return to action and are backing Patrick Beverley in his third start as a Bull.
NBA odds as of 10:51 a.m. on 02/28/2023.
Bulls vs. Raptors prop picks
Best Bet: Barnes over 4.5 assists (+118)
Barnes is averaging just 4.2 assists in February which might not seem encouraging on a surface level.
But the reigning rookie of the year has gone over this mark in three of his past six games and at plus money, we’re willing to jump on this total against a Bulls team that doesn’t defend well against small forwards.
Chicago allows the fifth-most assists to small forwards per game (4.06), according to Fantasy Pros.
The Bulls also give up 26.5 assists per game on the road, which is the seventh-most in the NBA. That puts Barnes in a good position to move the rock tonight.
Barnes has played Chicago twice this season, clearing this mark once and finishing with four assists in the other contest. Expect him to net five helpers at home.
Key stat: Barnes is averaging exactly five assists per game at home this season.
Quick picks
VanVleet under 19.5 points (-109): VanVleet hasn’t played since February 14 and we’re expecting some rust in his return to action.
Toronto’s point guard has fallen under this total in four of his past five games with the exception being a 35-point eruption against the Detroit Pistons on February 12.
The Bulls do well to limit opposing floor generals, too. Chicago allows the fifth-fewest points per game to PGs (22.49).
Beverley over 6.5 points (-107): Beverley was held scoreless in his last game but went over this mark in his four contests prior to that.
Goran Dragic remains sidelined tonight, and we’re expecting Beverley to assume a larger role as a result. The journeyman point guard played 22 minutes in his Bulls debut and 26 minutes in his next appearance.
Seven points shouldn’t be too much to ask for tonight.
