Preview: Raptors at Bulls, March 18, 2026

CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Toronto Raptors, holding the 11th-best record in the NBA, visit the struggling Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night at United Center in a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions.

Toronto (38-29) arrives having won three of its last four, including a 119-108 victory over Detroit on Sunday. The Raptors have dominated the season series with Chicago, winning both meetings by an average of 12.5 points, most recently a 110-101 win on Feb. 19.

The Bulls (27-40) have lost four of their last five and are 13th in the league standings. They are coming off a 119-108 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

A key matchup will feature Toronto center Jakob Poeltl against Chicago’s triple-double threat, guard Josh Giddey. Poeltl is coming off a dominant 21-point, 18-rebound, five-assist performance against Detroit. Over his last 10 games, he has averaged 12.0 points and 9.1 rebounds.

Giddey has been a bright spot for Chicago amid its losses, recording triple-doubles in three of his last four contests. He averaged 20.8 points, 11.0 rebounds and 13.0 assists in those four games, including a 27-point, 15-assist effort against the Lakers on March 12.

For Toronto, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett provide consistent support. Barnes neared a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists against Detroit, while Barrett led all scorers with 27 points.

Chicago will look for production from Matas Buzelis, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds against the Clippers, and guard Tre Jones, who scored 21 points in that game.

The Raptors, positioned for a playoff push, will begin a four-game Western Conference road trip after this contest. The Bulls, nearing mathematical elimination, host Cleveland on Thursday before embarking on a five-game trip of their own next week.

Wednesday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. CDT.