Nikola Vucevic Leads Bulls Past Raptors 122-121 as Chicago Holds Off Late Toronto Rally

Nikola Vucevic scored 24 points, and Coby White added 19 as the Chicago Bulls survived a late Toronto Raptors surge to secure a nail-biting 122-121 victory on Monday night.

The win marked Chicago’s fourth in its last six games as they continue to gain momentum.

Chicago’s offense showcased balance and efficiency, with seven Bulls players scoring in double figures. Talen Horton-Tucker chipped in 15 points, while Ayo Dosunmu added 12 to contribute to the Bulls’ well-rounded scoring effort.

The game wasn’t without adversity for Chicago. Lonzo Ball struggled early, missing six of his first seven 3-point attempts, but came up clutch in the game’s deciding moments with a pivotal 3-pointer late in the fourth. Meanwhile, Josh Giddey delivered an impactful performance before injury struck. Giddey rolled his right ankle midway through the third quarter while contesting a shot and had to be helped off the floor. He did not return, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists in 24 minutes.

For the Raptors, RJ Barrett put on a scoring clinic, finishing with a game-high 32 points as Toronto nearly erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit. Gradey Dick was stellar, contributing a career-high 27 points, while Chris Boucher added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ochai Agbaji also pitched in with 15 points in a gritty performance.

Despite Toronto’s fight, they fell just short. Jamal Shead banked in a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer, but the Raptors ultimately suffered their fifth straight loss in heartbreaking fashion.

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The game’s momentum swung in Chicago’s favor midway through the fourth quarter when the Raptors, trailing 102-86, launched a furious rally. Barrett’s hook shot with 2:28 remaining trimmed the deficit to just one point at 112-111, putting pressure on the Bulls to respond. Coby White delivered with a tough layup, and Lonzo Ball finally found his range, drilling a 3-pointer to extend Chicago’s lead. That clutch sequence proved to be the difference.

The absence of key players was evident for both sides. For the Bulls, Zach LaVine sat out with back spasms, while Vucevic made a triumphant return after missing Sunday’s game due to illness. Vucevic’s presence in the paint and offensive consistency anchored Chicago throughout the night.

On Toronto’s side, injuries continue to pile up. The Raptors were already without Scottie Barnes, who remains sidelined with a right ankle sprain, and they suffered another blow when starting center Jakob Poeltl exited in the third quarter with a strained left groin. Toronto’s short-handed squad fought admirably but couldn’t overcome Chicago’s balanced attack.

Toronto’s struggles

One telling statistic stood out: Toronto’s struggles when trailing at halftime continued. The Raptors fell to 0-14 this season when behind after two quarters, with Chicago leading 53-50 at halftime. That inability to establish early leads has plagued Toronto throughout the season, and despite strong second-half efforts, it remains a recurring issue.

The Bulls’ ability to stave off the Raptors’ late push highlights their resilience, particularly as they work through injuries and lineup changes. Vucevic’s dominance down low combined with White’s steady playmaking and Ball’s timely shot-making gave Chicago just enough to seal the win.

Looking ahead, both teams face tough challenges. Up next, the Bulls will hit the road to take on the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Raptors will look to snap their losing streak when they host the Brooklyn Nets on the same night.

For Chicago, this victory reinforces their upward trajectory in the standings, while Toronto continues searching for answers amidst mounting injuries and narrow losses. Vucevic’s return and the Bulls’ late-game poise underscore a team finding its identity, while Barrett’s standout performance offers a bright spot for a Raptors team desperate to turn things around.