Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors Picks and Predictions for Wednesday October 21 2026
Toronto beat Chicago three times last season. The last one was a 139-109 beating in March, and the Bulls didn’t have much of an answer for anything the Raptors were doing. Now they’re heading back to Toronto to open the new season, and the oddsmakers have the Raptors laying 8.5 points. I get why Toronto is favored. What I don’t like is asking a team to win by nine on opening night. There’s a lot that can go wrong with that.
The Bulls and Raptors meet Wednesday, October 21, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Tipoff is at 7:30 PM ET on NBA League Pass. Toronto is favored by 8.5, and the total is 235.5. Check out our free NBA picks for more predictions.
Chicago Bulls Have To Figure Out The Defense
Chicago wasn’t much good on the road last season. The Bulls went 13-28 away from home, and Toronto beat them every time they played. The Raptors won 123-107 in February and then embarrassed Chicago by 30 in March. That’s not something the Bulls can pretend didn’t happen. They’ve made some roster changes, but until they show they can defend, I’m not buying the idea that everything is fixed.
Chicago had a 112.1 offensive rating and a 117.4 defensive rating last season. That second number is the problem. The Bulls can score, and they’ll push the ball when they get a chance, but they also have stretches where the other team gets whatever shot it wants. Toronto averaged 29.5 assists last year. You let a team that moves the ball that well get comfortable, and you’re going to spend a lot of time taking the ball out of the net. Chicago needs to make the Raptors work for their points instead of giving them open looks.
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Josh Giddey averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists last season. He can run the offense, and Chicago needs him doing that Wednesday. Matas Buzelis averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 boards, while Norman Powell gives the Bulls another guy who can score. But Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury, and that’s a problem. Chicago needs somebody protecting the rim against Toronto. Without Claxton, the Bulls are going to have to find another way to keep the Raptors from getting easy baskets inside.
Toronto Raptors Have A Chance To Start Fast
Toronto went 46-36 last season and finished 24-17 at home. That’s solid, and the Raptors have every reason to feel good about this matchup. They swept Chicago last year and didn’t have to sweat much in the final two meetings. The Raptors have more size, better defense, and enough scoring to make the Bulls uncomfortable. I’m not arguing any of that. I’m just not sure it adds up to a nine-point win in the first game of the season.
The Raptors scored 114.6 points a game last season and allowed 111.8. They also averaged 29.5 assists, which tells you how they like to play. Toronto isn’t interested in standing around watching somebody dribble for 20 seconds. The Raptors move the ball, cut to the basket, and look for the open man. Chicago had a hard time stopping that last season. The Bulls’ defensive rating was 117.4, and there’s no reason to assume that’s suddenly going to disappear. Toronto should get plenty of good shots. The question is how many it makes.
Scottie Barnes averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists last season. That’s a guy who can hurt you without scoring 30. Kawhi Leonard gives Toronto another scoring threat after putting up 27.9 points per game last year. Toronto rested several regulars in its preseason finale. Poeltl, Barrett, and Quickley subsequently received clearance for the opener. That’s a lot of help. Toronto should have the advantage inside, especially with Chicago missing Claxton. If the Raptors start getting second chances and easy baskets, the Bulls could be in for another long night.
Chicago Bulls vs Toronto Raptors Picks and Predictions
Chicago Bulls +8.5 (-105)
I’ll take Chicago and the 8.5 points. The Bulls weren’t good against Toronto last season. I know that. They lost all three meetings, and the last one was ugly. But we’re talking about opening night, and eight and a half is a lot to give away before either team has played a regular-season game. Chicago has enough scoring to stay within reach, especially with Giddey running the offense and Powell giving them another option. Claxton being out bothers me because Toronto should be able to get inside. That’s the part that could wreck this pick. Still, I think Chicago scores enough to keep the Raptors from running away with it. Toronto wins, Bulls cover.
Over 235.5 Points (-110)
I’m going over 235.5. Chicago’s defense was bad last season, and Toronto knows it. The Raptors put up 139 in their last meeting, and they averaged nearly 30 assists a game. They’re going to get chances. Chicago should get some points, too, because the Bulls aren’t going to spend the night walking the ball up the floor. They like to run. The concern is Toronto slowing things down once it gets a lead, or Chicago going cold from outside. Either could happen. But I see the Raptors getting into the 120s, and the Bulls have enough offense to do their part. Something around 123-115 sounds about right.
Final Picks: Chicago Bulls +8.5 (-105) and Over 235.5 Points (-110)
This preview was completed October 20, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, starting lineups, and other game information may change before tipoff.
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