Bulls Secure Play-In Spot with Big Win Over Raptors, Ending Their Streak

CHICAGO, IL — In a pivotal Eastern Conference clash on April 1, 2025, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Toronto Raptors 137-118 at the United Center, securing their place in the play-in tournament. The Bulls, now 34-42, leveraged a dominant second half to extinguish the Raptors’ four-game winning streak and solidify their postseason aspirations.

Coby White led Chicago, scoring 28 points on 56.8% shooting, shortly after being named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for March. His contributions were complemented by Talen Horton-Tucker, who added a season-high 27 points, and Nikola Vucevic, who finished with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds.

The Raptors were propelled by Immanuel Quickley and Ja’Kobe Walter, who each contributed 17 points, but it was not sufficient to withstand the Bulls’ offensive onslaught. Toronto’s loss eliminated any remaining hopes of making the play-in tournament, dropping their record to 28-48.

The game began with Toronto striking first, hitting eight three-pointers in the first quarter, but the Bulls quickly countered. By the end of the first quarter, Chicago had established a 39-32 lead. They maintained momentum into the second period, pushing their advantage to 70-57 by halftime.

Notably, the Bulls outperformed the Raptors significantly in the paint, scoring 70 points compared to Toronto’s 44, and dominating the boards with a 49-35 rebounding edge. Chicago also excelled at the foul line, hitting 23 of 27 attempts.

The key moment came late in the third quarter when Chicago executed a 10-0 run, extending a slim lead into a comfortable 86-68 advantage. This surge included six points from Vucevic and four from White, establishing clear control of the game.

Horton-Tucker, who scored 18 of his points in the second half, distinguished himself as a significant threat, illustrating the depth of the Bulls’ roster. Kevin Huerter, returning from injury, contributed 16 points, which included pivotal late-game efforts to maintain the lead.

On the Raptors’ side, their struggles were compounded by Scottie Barnes’ ineffective shooting performance, where he went 4-for-14 from the field. Despite posting impressive stats in recent games, his lack of consistency raised questions regarding his leadership role as Toronto looks towards rebuilding.

“We played our game and executed our strategy well,” White said postgame. “It feels great to lock in our spot for the play-in.”

The Bulls are now preparing for a crucial matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 3, while the Raptors will face the Trail Blazers the following day in hopes of regrouping after this setback.

As the season draws to a close, the NBA landscape becomes increasingly competitive, with teams fighting tooth and nail for playoff positioning. The Bulls have emerged as a team to watch as they have now won 10 of their last 14 games, while the Raptors must recover quickly to stay relevant in any discussions of postseason play.