Chicago Bulls vs Phoenix Suns Point Spread Picks

Combine the Suns (-462) and the Cavaliers (-1447) and the Thunder (-5376) into a 3-team parlay at -308 odds.

Phoenix has the sixth-best defense in the NBA, holding opponents to an average of 111.2 points a game. That average goes all the way down to 99.6 points a game if you go by Phoenix's past five games. The Suns play at a slow tempo and are fifth from the bottom in scoring. Yet we have a rather large Phoenix total here against an Eastern Conference foe. That's because the Bulls are the opponent. Chicago likes to run and fire up 3-pointers. So we have a contrast in styles. The Bulls won't be able to speed up the Suns if their star point guard and leading scorer, Josh Giddey, is out or hobbled. Giddey and Chicago's No. 2 top scorer, Matas Buzelis, are both dealing with ankle issues sustained against the Thunder in the Bulls' last game two days ago. The Suns are also ranked second in 3-point defense. Take the UNDER. 

The Chicago Bulls are 29-39 on the season, but that is good enough to be tied with the Miami Heat for the last two spots in the Eastern Conference play-in round. The Suns are 11th in the West and at 32-37, they are on the fringe of the play-in round. The Suns find a way to slow things down when they are on their homecourt, where 21 of their 33 home games have played UNDER the total. The Bulls have won five of their last six games, as they have really started to get contributions on the defensive end of the floor. The Bulls, in their last five games, are allowing just 107.2 PPG., and four of the five played UNDER. The Suns are playing similar. Phoenix is allowing just 106.6 PPG in their last five, all of which have played to the UNDER. Bet this game to stay UNDER. 

Phoenix has beaten the Bulls nine times in a row with a 5-3-1 ATS mark, although this is the first meeting this season. Both teams are on losing streaks, and Chicago hasn't won since Feb. 4 while being on a 1-4 ATS run. The Bulls lost in overtime at New York on Thursday and could still recover from that tough defeat. The Spurs used balanced scoring to beat the Suns with seven double-figure scorers on Friday night. Phoenix has won the past five road games against the Bulls, who have lost five of their past six against the Pacific Division. Chicago is 4-9 ATS in its past 13 Saturday games, and it is dealing with several injuries. Take the Suns.