What the Bulls need to do to win against the Raptors tonight

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The Chicago Bulls struggled in their first two games after the All-Star break, losing back-to-back games against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat.

They've dropped to 16-20 on the season.

The Toronto Raptors are looking to snap a four-game losing streak at the United Center tonight.

There might be changes to the Bulls starting lineup against the Raptors. Coach Billy Donovan is expected to replace Coby White and Wendell Carter Jr. with Tomáš Satoransky and Thad Young.

This is a great choice, considering:

1. White has not been playing consistently and isn't the best defensively. Sato is a better option when it comes to size and playmaking.

2. Young is more reliable, productive and experienced. Carter needs to improve offensively in terms of finishing around the rim. He hasn't been putting enough effort into the games and he's been lacking that urgency.

Carter needs to be more aggressive offensively. He's averaging 11.8 points per game, 7.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists. The Bulls need to make sure they have a physical rim protector showing up to tonight's game if they want to win. If Young does start instead of Carter, they'll be solid.

The Bulls really need to take advantage of the fact that the Raptors are coming into the game on short rest after losing 114-104 to the Charlotte Hornets last night.

On the other hand, the Bulls are coming in fresh since they at least had one night off since Friday's 101-90 loss to the Heat.

The Raptors are coming in shorthanded. They'll most likely be playing without Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Patrick McCaw and Malachi Flynn. This will be the fifth -straight game the Raptors will play without the group and the sixth without Siakam.

This is another advantage for the Bulls, who really must make the most of it. They didn't do so against the 76ers when their two stars were out of the game, allowing second and third players on the depth chart outplay them.

The Bulls should be playing their best because it's the first time in a long time that they actually have their guys healthy and back on the court.

They need to improve their defense, especially by not allowing too many points in the paint. The Bulls allowed 78 points in the paint against the 76ers. It should be easier to not do that tonight against the undermanned Raptors.

Chicago is 7-13 at home, while the Raptors at 9-12 on the road. The game tips off tonight at 8 p.m. CT.