The Toronto Raptors kept their momentum going Wednesday night with a 114 to 109 win over the Chicago Bulls on March 18, 2026 on the road in Chicago.
This one carried a playoff type feel. The Raptors were not playing in front of their home crowd, yet they showed composure and execution late in a tight game. That is the kind of win that stands out this time of year.
Toronto started strong and matched Chicago’s energy early. The Bulls responded as expected and kept things close through the first half. The game stayed tight heading into the third quarter with neither team able to pull away.
The Raptors found another level late in the third and carried that into the fourth. Chicago made a push in the final minutes, cutting into the lead and putting pressure on Toronto. The Raptors answered with key defensive stops and smart offensive possessions to close it out.
RJ Barrett led the way with 26 points and continues to be the most consistent scoring option for this team. His confidence attacking the basket has been a huge factor in this recent stretch.
Scottie Barnes delivered a strong all around performance with 21 points and 10 rebounds. His presence continues to impact both ends of the floor, especially in key moments.
Brandon Ingram added 20 points and provided steady scoring when the offense needed it. Immanuel Quickley chipped in with 18 points and 7 assists, doing a great job managing the pace and creating opportunities for others.
Jakob Poeltl contributed 12 points and 9 rebounds, battling inside and helping Toronto control important possessions.
Chicago had strong performances of its own. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points and kept them in the game with his mid range scoring. Zach LaVine added 24 points and hit several big shots late. Nikola Vucevic finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, providing a consistent presence in the paint.
The difference in this one came down to execution in the final minutes. Toronto made the plays they needed on both ends while Chicago could not quite complete the comeback.
Where the Raptors Stand in the East
With the win, Toronto moves to 39 and 29 on the season and continues to trend in the right direction as the playoffs approach.
First place in the Eastern Conference is still several games out of reach. Teams like Boston and Milwaukee have been at the top for most of the season. Toronto would need a significant winning streak along with help from those teams dropping games to realistically close that gap.
The more realistic focus is playoff positioning. Wins like this on the road are exactly what helps separate teams in a tight race.
What Needs To Happen
Consistency is starting to show up at the right time.
RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and Immanuel Quickley are all contributing regularly, which gives this team a much more balanced offensive attack. That balance is critical heading into the playoffs.
Late game defense and execution will be the deciding factor. Toronto showed in this game that they can close out tight contests, especially on the road.
This is the kind of stretch Raptors fans have been waiting for. Now it is about keeping it going.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
