February 19, 2026 | United Center | 8:00 PM ET | CHSN, NBA League Pass
Alright, let’s be honest with ourselves. We’re 24–31, sitting in 11th place, and we’ve lost three straight at the United Center. The Toronto Raptors (32–23) are coming to town riding high in 5th place, and they already beat us once this season.
But you know what? This is our house. And after the roster shakeup, these new guys are still figuring things out. Tonight’s the perfect opportunity to show we’re not just rolling over for the rest of the season.
Where Both Teams Stand Right Now
Toronto just got embarrassed by the Pistons, losing 113–95. That’s the kind of game you circle on the calendar for a bounce-back performance. They’re 24–15 against Eastern Conference opponents, which is exactly the kind of stat that makes you nervous when you’re 16–22 against the East like we are.
The Raptors are a legitimate playoff team. We’re… well, we’re trying to figure out what we are with all these new pieces.
How Toronto Plays (And Why They’re Dangerous)
Record: 32–23 (5th in East)
Toronto wins with ball movement and defense. They’re near the top of the league in assists per game (29.3), and they force turnovers (16 against Detroit). Immanuel Quickley runs the show with 6.1 assists per game, Scottie Barnes is a legitimate two-way problem, and Pascal Siakam still gets his buckets consistently.
They shot poorly against Detroit (42.7% from the field), but they were money from the free-throw line at 91.3%. When they get to the rim and get fouled, they cash in. That’s bad news for a Bulls defense that’s been inconsistent all season.
Our Bulls: The New Reality
Record: 24–31 (11th in East)
Here’s what’s actually working: we’re knocking down 14.7 threes per game, and somehow we’re 9–5 in games decided by three points or fewer. When it gets tight, this team has shown it won’t fold—which is more than we could say about some of our previous rosters.
DeMar DeRozan is still our steadying presence. Josh Giddey’s playmaking (when he’s locked in) can unlock defenses. Anfernee Simons has the ability to catch fire and drop 30 on any given night.
The problem? Consistency. Defense. Execution. All the things that separate competitive teams from playoff teams.
Breaking Down the Matchup
| Category | Raptors | Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 47.3% | 47.9% (opponents) |
| Assists Per Game | 29.3 | 25.4 |
| Turnovers Forced | 16 | 13.8 |
| 3-Pointers Made | 12.8 allowed | 14.7 made |
They move the ball better. They force more turnovers. We shoot more threes. The numbers basically tell you this is going to come down to whether we can hit shots and whether our defense shows up for once.
What Has to Happen for Chicago to Win
Josh Giddey Needs to Control the Game
If Giddey’s making the right reads, finding cutters, and setting up shooters, we’ve got a chance. His vision is legitimately elite when he’s engaged. Toronto’s defense is good, but Giddey’s passing can find the cracks if he’s aggressive.
Anfernee Simons Has to Get Hot Early
We didn’t trade for Simons to be passive. He needs to come out hunting his shot, putting pressure on Toronto’s perimeter defenders, and making them respect his three-point range. If he gets cooking early, it opens everything else up.
DeMar Does DeMar Things
DeRozan’s mid-range game is automatic, and Toronto knows it. They’re going to try to make someone else beat them. DeMar needs to pick his spots, control the tempo, and make the right play—whether that’s scoring or setting up teammates.
Bench Can’t Be a Liability
Collin Sexton and Rob Dillingham need to give us productive minutes off the bench. Toronto’s second unit is more reliable than ours right now, so we can’t afford to lose the game during those stretches when the starters rest.
Protect the Ball
We’re averaging 13.8 turnovers forced per game, while Toronto forced 16 against Detroit. If we’re sloppy with the ball, Scottie Barnes and company will make us pay in transition. Take care of the rock, and we control the pace.
The Betting Reality
- Spread: Raptors -6.5
- Over/Under: 234.5
- Moneyline: Raptors -240, Bulls +200
Toronto’s covered in 4 of their last 6 road games. We’re 3–7 against the spread in our last 10. Vegas sees what we see—the Raptors are the better team right now.
But 6.5 points at home? That’s not insurmountable, especially if we hit our threes and Toronto’s still in their feelings about that Pistons loss.
Bulls Fan Prediction: We Can Steal This One
Final Score: Bulls 115, Raptors 112
Look, I know the numbers say Toronto should win. I know our defense has been shaky. I know we’re trying to integrate new players on the fly.
But we’re 9–5 in close games. That means when the pressure’s on in the fourth quarter, this team has shown it can execute. And the United Center crowd—if they show up loud—can be a difference-maker.
Here’s how I see it playing out: Toronto jumps out early because we’re still figuring out rotations. We claw back in the second quarter behind Simons getting hot. It’s a back-and-forth game through the third. Then in the fourth, DeMar takes over, Giddey makes a clutch pass, and we finally protect home court.
Is it the most likely outcome? Probably not. But it’s possible, and after everything this season has thrown at us, we deserve a signature win.
Why This Game Matters
We’re 11th in the East. The play-in is basically a pipe dream at this point. So why does this game matter?
Because pride. Because the United Center faithful deserve to see this new core show some fight. Because DeMar’s not getting any younger, and we need to prove the front office didn’t completely waste this season with their moves.
And honestly? Because beating a 32-win playoff team at home would feel damn good right now.
Toronto’s the better team on paper. But basketball isn’t played on paper—it’s played on the court. And tonight, our court.
Let’s protect home. Let’s shock some people. See Red.