Game Thread: Raptors vs. Bulls Updates, TV info, and more

The Raptors’ first back-to-back of the season presents an interesting problem. So far this year Toronto coach Nick Nurse has mostly stuck to an eight-man rotation — a seven-man crew of familiar faces, plus Terence Davis (and five minutes of Stanley Johnson). But now, as they head into Chicago to take on the Bulls, the Raptors can’t necessarily lean on the same eight guys again, right? Where does the team draw the line on minutes?

It poses an interesting question for the Raptors, and makes for a compelling night against a Bulls team that is still finding itself (now at 1-1) despite a relatively well-lauded offseason that saw them bolster their roster around Otto Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, and Zach LaVine. Despite some tremendous optimism around this young Chicago squad, they still figure to be mostly mediocre. The question though: who on the Raptors beyond those first seven or eight names... can be good?

Let’s pencil Terence Davis in once again, but Patrick McCaw is out. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, meanwhile, is apparently back, so one assumes he'll get some run. After that, a total mystery. I’ve optimistically chosen a header photo featuring Malcolm Miller — could tonight be his night? Your guess is as good as mine. But I’d be worried if the Raptors once again have to ground down the usual names — Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and the possibly still gimpy Fred VanVleet. It’s a concern.

In any case, to get your mind on it, here’s the Raptors-Bulls preview from this morning. Below are your updated game details. Now, let’s watch.

Where to Watch:

TSN at 8:00pm EST

Lineups:

Toronto – Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol

Chicago – Tomas Satoransky, Zach LaVine, Otto Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr.

Injuries:

Toronto – Patrick McCaw (knee – out)

Chicago – Wendell Carter Jr. (thumb – probable), Chandler Hutchinson (hamstring – OUT)