On Thursday, the Toronto Raptors welcome a familiar face to Scotiabank Arena when they host DeMar DeRozan's Chicago Bulls.
It'll mark the ninth time DeRozan has faced his former team since he was traded from the Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs in 2018. His highest-scoring game against the Raptors came a few weeks ago when he led the Bulls to victory with a team-high 29 points. He's also had two 11-assist games against the Raptors, one of which helped him record the first triple-double of his career.
DeRozan is in the midst of arguably his best season. Not only are his numbers all near the highest of his career, but he's played a leading role in Chicago's surge up the Eastern Conference standings. The Raptors will have their hands full trying to slow him down as they pursue their fourth straight victory.
While Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam continue to play at an All-Star level, Gary Trent Jr. has been one of the hottest players in the league lately. After missing six straight games and struggling with his shot in matchups with the Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers, he's scored 30-plus points in five straight games.
The only other player in franchise history to record five straight 30-point games? None other than DeRozan.
A 30-point game against the Bulls on Thursday would give Trent the franchise record.
"It's a surreal feeling," Trent said. "What (DeRozan has) done for this organization, this city, the type of player he is, what he stands for, where he's from, his background. To share that with him, knowing what he does and what he means for this organization, I can't put into words. It's not something I'm going out there to reach for, it's not something I'm chasing."
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What channel is Raptors vs. Bulls on?
- TV channel: SN One and SN National (Canada), NBCSCH and League Pass (United States)
- Radio: SN 590
Raptors vs. Bulls will be televised on Sportsnet One and Sportsnet in Canada. In Chicago, it will be televised on NBC Sports Chicago. The game can be streamed on NBA League Pass elsewhere in the United States.
What time does Raptors vs. Bulls start?
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 3
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Tip-off for Raptors vs. Bulls will be shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Raptors vs. Bulls injury report
| Team | Player | Status | Reason |
| Raptors | Khem Birch | Out | Nose; Fracture |
| Isaac Bonga | Out | G League — On Assignment | |
| Goran Dragic | Out | Not With Team | |
| David Johnson | Out | G League — Two-Way | |
| Bulls | Alex Caruso | Out | Right Wrist; Fracture |
| Lonzo Ball | Out | Left Meniscus; Tear | |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | Out | Right Finger; Fracture | |
| Zach LaVine | Probable | Right Mid-Back; Spasm | |
| Marko Simonovic | Out | G League — On Assignment | |
| Patrick Williams | Out | Left Wrist; Ligament Tear |
Raptors next five games
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Location |
| Feb. 3 | vs. Bulls | 7:30 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
| Feb. 4 | vs. Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | Scotiabank Arena |
| Feb. 7 | at Hornets | 7:00 p.m. | Spectrum Center |
| Feb. 9 | at Thunder | 8:00 p.m. | Paycom Center |
| Feb. 10 | at Rockets | 8:00 p.m. | Toyota Center |
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