* This has been a very streaky series. The Bulls defeated Toronto last April, snapping a four-game losing streak to the Raptors. Before that, Chicago had won 15 straight, and before that, Toronto had won 16 in a row.
* After going 2-3 on their recent homestand, the Bulls play a single road game before returning home for a couple more. Chicago is 1-8 away from home since the beginning of December.
* The Raptors dropped both games in their recent home-and-home with Boston. But Toronto’s bench has outscored their opposing counterparts in each of its last four games.
* In his most recent game against the Raptors last April, Tyrus Thomas scored 26 points, the second-highest total of his career. He had mustered a combined 17 points in his first five career games versus Toronto.
* Since returning to action after missing time due to an ankle injury, Drew Gooden has averaged 19.0 points and 10.5 rebounds. He hasn’t failed to score at least 16 points and grab at least nine rebounds in any of the four games. But he is questionable for Wednesday with groin and ankle injuries.
* Andrea Bargnani continues to play well since Jermaine O’Neal left the lineup due to injury. With a 23-point effort on Monday, Bargnani is averaging 21.3 points and shooting 58.5% (24-for-41) on three-pointers since December 31.
Copyright 2009 STATS LLC
