I’m backing a pair of guards to produce when the Chicago Bulls host the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
The pregame narrative: Chicago and Toronto are in tank mode, but someone has to fill the basket. Josh Giddey and Gradey Dick are poised for big nights, so take the over on their point and 3-point totals, respectively.
Check out my Raptors vs. Bulls prop picks for Feb. 28.
Raptors vs. Bulls prop picks
Best bet: Giddey over 17.5 points (-134)
This has all the makings of a smash play.
Giddey has been on a heater in February, which directly coincides with Zach LaVine’s departure to the Sacramento Kings. Check out his stats on a per-game basis during and before this month:
- February stats (10 games): 19.9 points, 13.1 FGA, 51.1 FG%, 56.0 3PT%
- Pre-February stats (45 games): 11.5 points, 10.0 FGA, 44.4 FG%, 32.7 3PT%
The point guard is playing more, shooting more and making more shots. You love to see it.
Giddey has been red-hot over his last four games, averaging 24.3 PPG on 57.9% shooting. He’s an incredible 14-for-18 from deep in that span.
Some shooting regression is bound to happen but I don’t think it’ll come against the Raptors.
Toronto has the seventh-worst defensive rating in the NBA and is allowing the sixth-most PPG to point guards over the last 30 days, according to Fantasy Pros.
Key stat: Giddey is 7-3 against this line in February.
Quick pick
Dick over 1.5 threes (-175): Scottie Barnes — who missed Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers — is questionable with a hip injury. If I were running the Raptors, he’d be sitting out as long as possible.
The swingman is attempting 4.5 threes per game, so his absence would be a boon for Dick’s volume.
But even if Barnes is in the lineup, I’m still keen on backing Dick even at this juiced price.
Toronto’s shooting guard has cleared this line in every game since the all-star break. He’s attempted seven 3-pointers in each of the last two outings, which is huge volume.
Chicago has really struggled to defend the deep ball lately, so this is a matchup Dick can exploit.
- Opponents are shooting 37.9% against the Bulls from beyond the arc in February (fifth-highest in the NBA).
- Chicago is allowing the ninth-most 3s per game (3.48) to shooting guards over the last 30 days.
Dick has played the Bulls twice this season, going 3-for-9 from deep on Dec. 16 and 2-of-7 from deep on Jan. 31.
Picks made at 10:15 a.m. ET 02/28/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.