The Chicago Bulls will host a showdown against the Phoenix Suns at the United Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Monday, Dec. 7 and can be seen on CSC and FAZ.
The Bulls are expecting a better outcome after their 102-96 loss to the Hornets on Saturday. Jimmy Butler was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points. The Suns, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 95-93 loss against the Grizzlies on Sunday. Alex Len played well for Phoenix, recording 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
In terms of effective field goal percentage, this game will match strength against strength when the Suns have possession. Their upper-echelon offense is ranked fifth in the league in that metric at 51.0%, while Chicago is second-best in the NBA in effective field goal percentage defense (45.0%).
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first matchup 103-97. Butler was the game’s top overall scorer with 32 points.
The Bulls are a six-point favorite against Phoenix and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at 204 points. Despite being 11-6 Straight Up (SU), the Bulls have struggled to cover the spread in most of their matchups, only managing a record of 6-11 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS against the Western Conference. The Bulls are one of the best in the NBA in terms of field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive .378 from beyond the arc. The rebounding edge goes to the Bulls in this matchup, who average a league-best 48.4 rebounds per game.
As for their opponent, the Suns have a record of 10-11 ATS and 8-13 SU. Phoenix has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record.
Chicago beat Phoenix in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record to 8-2 over the Suns in their last 10 meetings. Furthermore, the Bulls hold the advantage ATS with a record of 7-3.
Predictions: SU Winner – Chi, ATS Winner – Chi, O/U – Under
Notes
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Chicago’s last 9 games.
Chicago is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games.
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Chicago is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Chicago’s last 11 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago’s last 6 games when playing Phoenix.
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix.
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Phoenix.
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix.
Chicago has allowed an average of 98.0 points per game this season. Phoenix averages 105.6 points per game, ranking the team third in scoring.
Phoenix averages 103.0 points per away game (ranked seventh). However, Chicago has allowed an average of just 95.0 points per home game (ranked fourth).
The Chicago Bulls are 10-1 in games where they allow fewer than 100 points, while the Phoenix Suns are winless (0-7) when they don’t hit the century mark.
Chicago is an underachieving 1-5 when it gives up 100 or more points. Phoenix has an 8-6 record when it reaches the century mark.
The Bulls have an offensive rating of 98.1 (ranked 27th). The Suns rank 24th for their defensive rating of 104.4.
Phoenix beats Chicago in both possessions per game and points per possession. The Suns average 102.5 possessions and 1.030 points per possession, while the Bulls average 100.6 possessions with .981 points per possession.
Ranked fifth in the NBA, Phoenix has an average effective field goal percentage of 51.0%. Chicago has not won a game this season when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage (0-2).
Chicago makes an average of 22.5 assists per game (ranked eighth), while Phoenix makes 20.5 assists per game (ranked 20th).
Chicago makes an average of 6.0 blocks per game (ranked sixth), while Phoenix makes 4.0 blocks per game (ranked 25th).
Chicago is ranked 19th when it comes to offensive rebounding. Phoenix ranks 15th in defensive rebounds.
Phoenix ranks eighth in steals per game with 8.9. When Chicago allows 8 or more steals, the team has an even 4-4 record.
