The Chicago Bulls will be the next team to test the Kevin Durant-infused Phoenix Suns, as these two teams square off at United Center this weekend. Will the Suns tame the Bulls? Or, will Chicago ambush Durant and Co.?

Catch this game live on Saturday, March 4, at 9:00 AM, Manila time

Away: Phoenix Suns (34-29/13-19 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Chris Paul
  • SG: Devin Booker
  • SF: Josh Okogie
  • PF: Kevin Durant
  • C: Deandre Ayton

Kevin Durant’s debut for the Suns was a success. He scored 23 points and grabbed two rebounds to go with two blocks in just 23 minutes of action during a 105-91 win on the road over the Charlotte Hornets. Sure, that was against a crappy Hornets team that did not even have LaMelo Ball, but scoring that many points in only that many minutes was all one needed to know about how comfortable Durant is with his new teammates — and vice versa.

In fact, Durant, Deandre Ayton, and Devin Booker combined for 76 points on an incredible 63 FG%. Without a doubt, Durant is a game-changer and he’ll be a massive headache as well for the Bulls’ defense which already got torched for 51 points by Booker in a meeting last December in the desert, which the Suns won handily, 132-113. 

Phoenix is  4-1-1 ATS in its last six games overall.

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Home: Chicago Bulls (29-34/18-13 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Patrick Beverley
  • SG: Alex Caruso
  • SF: Zach LaVine
  • PF: DeMar DeRozan
  • C: Nikola Vucevic

After looking like a guest G-league team in the NBA during a forgettable stretch ahead of the All-Star break, the Bulls have seemingly recaptured their moxie. They have won three of their last four games, including last Thursday’s 117-115 victory against the Detroit Pistons on the road. Zach LaVine put on a show in that contest, as he bludgeoned Detroit for 41 points on a 14/20 shooting. 

Buckets aside, Chicago’s defense is also playing a big part in the Bulls’ turnaround.The Bulls have allowed just 97.0 points over their last four games, which is the fewest in the NBA overall in that same span. On the season, they are 10th with just 110.3 points surrendered per contest and fourth with 111.5 points allowed per 100 possessions adjusted. That same defense is going to be put to a tough test this Saturday against the new-look Suns, but playing at home should help Chicago in that regard. Phoenix is also just 16th in the league with an offensive rating in road games of 112.0. 

The Bulls are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games in Windy City.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Bulls (-5.5) cover.

Over/Under: The total (222.0) hits the Under.

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