Fade Immanuel Quickley, NBA Player Prop Pick, Bulls vs. Raptors
With the release and shipment to Indiana of veteran forward Pascal Siakam, a new era has begun in Toronto today.
Immanuel Quickley, a recently acquired guard, has flourished on his new team by providing the starting lineup with much-needed offensive firepower. Nevertheless, despite his recent accomplishments, I intend to fade their prop tonight.
In his nine games played for the Raptors, Quickley has averaged 18.7 points per game, surpassing this average within five of those contests. His downtown percentage during this stretch is nearly 6% higher than his season norm of 41.5%.
However, this line is excessively inflated, especially considering the opponent, despite Siakam likely playing a lesser offensive role.
Presley Quickley has shot below 18% from downtown in seven contests played in zero days of rest for the Raptors, who are currently on a back-to-back.
The Kentucky product will not have an easy time with tonight’s production. Quickley generates 27% of his points, the highest percentage of any Raptor member in the lineup, via the pick-and-roll.
The Bulls, who surrender fewer points per game with his position and are the slowest team in the NBA in terms of pace, have also denied opposition pick-and-roll ball handlers the fewest points per game.
In most draw matches, Quickley is projected to face Alex Caruso or Patrick Williams, both of whom have defensive plus-minus records in the 87th percentile.
He has an average of 22 points, four boards, and 5.3 assists while shooting 46.4% from the field this season.
As a result of big man Nikola Vucevic covering the center position and playing up front against the defender, the pick-and-roll defense of the Chicago Bulls eliminates the mid-range shot, from which Quickley attempts 36% of his field goals.
Considering the sluggish atmosphere, Quickley’s preferred style of play, the rest disadvantage entering the game, and the increased emphasis on defense in the absence of Siakam, it is improbable that the former New York Knicks will score more than 20 points tonight.
They dealt Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam to the Pacers on Wednesday in exchange for three first-round picks.
They will attempt to get their resurrected squad off to a fast 2-0 start against the Bulls, who may be on the verge of undergoing a similar overhaul.
The Raptors will enter the second leg of the back-to-back set after defeating the healthy Miami Heat in yesterday’s contest.
After two days of rest, the Bulls have emerged victorious in four of their previous six contests. While the matchup might not seem the most alluring on the schedule, it has the potential to be among the most intense of the evening.
At this time, the Bulls remain in playoff contention despite their below-.500 record. After a lengthy absence in December due to a foot injury, their star scorer, Zach LaVine, returned to action just recently.
Following his return last month, LaVine has accumulated an average of 16.8 points, accompanied by 6.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 49.3% from his attempts, and 39.5% from deep. Except points in every game, his return statistics are all positive.
This is largely attributable to him regaining his playing form, which has resulted in a transient decline in his assertiveness, as evidenced by his three-attempt reduction on average per game.
Tonight, he ought to endeavor to be more aggressive, considering the Raptors’ recent struggles as a defense, which has averaged 121 points allowed per game.
His running companion, DeMar DeRozan, just finished his worst performance of the season against the Cavaliers, accumulating only six points over 38 minutes.
It is extremely improbable that he will replicate that performance tonight; therefore, anticipate an aggressive showing from him as well.