NBA Odds: Bulls (even)
The Chicago Bulls welcome the Phoenix Suns to the United Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 21 and can be seen on NBATV, FSN-AZ and WGN.
The Bulls played well in their last game, topping the Cavaliers 113-98 in their last matchup. Derrick Rose was the team’s leading scorer with 30 points on 12-for-24 shooting. The Suns, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after the 127-118 loss against the Rockets in their last game. Eric Bledsoe had a team-high 32 points.
Over the last five games, a number of players have been better than usual for the Bulls. Pau Gasol has led the way, averaging 21.0 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks. Rose (21.2 PTS, 2.4 REB, 6.2 AST, 1.0 STL, and 1.2 3PM) and Tony Snell (18.2 PTS, 3.0 REB, 1.2 AST, 1.0 STL, and 3.8 3PM) have also played at a high level.
The physical Bulls offense might be getting to the charity stripe a lot in this one. They rank second in the league at getting to the line (free throw attempt rate of 31.2), while Phoenix is among the NBA’s most foul-prone teams (giving up a 27th-ranked free throw attempt rate of 31.0). Also, the upper-echelon offense of the Suns ranks fifth in effective field goal percentage at 51.6%, while the Bulls are third-best in the league at forcing opponents’ misses (47.6%).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Suns winning the first matchup 99-93. Bledsoe had a stellar game with 23 points, four rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two three-pointers.
The odds for Chicago and Phoenix are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Bulls have gone 34-20 Straight Up (SU) and 25-29 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 14-9 SU and 11-12 ATS against the Western Conference. The Bulls are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throws made, making an impressive 20.4 per game. The rebounding edge goes to the Bulls in this matchup, who are one of the top rebounding teams in the league with an average of 45.6 boards per game. Chicago will look to take advantage of the Suns and their propensity to foul. Phoenix has committed the 26th-most fouls in the league, averaging 22.1 per game.
In the other locker room, the Suns have 29-25 SU and 27-25-2 ATS records. Phoenix has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record. The Suns convert their free throws at a high percentage, ranking second in the league at .785. Phoenix is the third-best team in the league at scoring points off turnovers with 18.8 per game.
In their previous meeting this season, Phoenix beat Chicago, but the win was not enough to overtake Chicago in the recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 3-7 SU over the last 10 meetings. With a 7-3 record, the Bulls also have the advantage ATS. Phoenix held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers two times, while Chicago was never able to do so in their most recent 10 games.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHI, ATS Winner – CHI
Notes
The Phoenix Suns are among the highest-scoring squads, earning an average of 105.9 points per game (ranked fourth), while the Chicago Bulls are in the top half of NBA teams in points allowed with 99.1 (ranked 12th).
Phoenix scores an average of 104.6 points per away game (ranked sixth). Chicago ranks 21st in points allowed per home game with 100.9.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Phoenix Suns are a fantastic 15-3. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Chicago Bulls have a poor record of 8-13.
The Phoenix Suns have a losing 14-22 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Chicago Bulls are 26-7 when they hit the century mark.
The Bulls have a defensive rating of 102.0 (ranked 12th), while the Suns rank eighth for their offensive rating of 105.3.
Ranked seventh in the NBA, Phoenix has an average field goal percentage of 46.1%. Chicago is 9-12 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
Chicago averages 21.4 three point attempts per game, and Phoenix attempts 26.7 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Bulls have a subpar 6-10 record while the Suns have an 18-20 record.
The Chicago Bulls, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.64, rank 13th in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns have a lower A/TO (1.43), ranking 26th.
The Chicago Bulls are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, earning 45.6 rebounds per game (ranked third). The Phoenix Suns rank 19th, rebounding 42.5 times each game.
Chicago is ranked eighth in defensive rebounds, while Phoenix ranks 18th in offensive rebounds.
On average, the Suns force a turnover rate of 15.3%, ranked eighth in the NBA. When the Bulls turn over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has an outstanding 12-4 record.
