Chicago at Phoenix
Time: 9 PM ET, Feb 4, 2014
Spread: PHO -8
M/L: PHO -340; CHI +270
Total: 192
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
The Chicago Bulls have lost its past two contest to New Orleans and Sacramento and the next stop on the West coast road trip takes Tom Thibodeau’s team to Phoenix to play the surprising Suns. The Suns are favored by 8-points according to NBA oddsmakers at Bovada.
Many wrote the Chicago Bulls off following the trade of Luol Deng, which only compounded the offensive problems for a team lacking its MVP, Derrick Rose. The Bulls truthfully do not have a great collection of talent, but it is a Thibodeau coached team that plays tough defense. The Bulls boast the league’s second-stingiest defense, allowing just 92.8 points per game. The problem is that the Bulls are even worse offensively, ranking dead last in the NBA in scoring (92.0 points per game).
Carlos Boozer, D.J. Augustin and Joakim Noah are responsible for generating most of the Bulls offense. Noah is making his second All-Star appearance and is averaging 11.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. His passing is a great asset without a playmaker on the court. Augustin is a shoot-first point guard, and Carlos Boozer is a declining power forward who will likely be amnestied at season’s end.
The Phoenix Suns are 29-18 and currently seated sixth in the Western Conference. The Suns have won seven of its past 10 contests, including three straight, and are 16-7 at home this season. Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic have been a stellar backcourt and function well together for the high scoring Suns. Bledsoe is out until after the All-Star break, but has progressed well through the rehab for his meniscus tear.
Dragic’s role has been even bigger with Bledsoe on the sidelines, and the Slovenian is averaging 20 points and 6.1 assists per game. The Suns get great contributions from its role players, and have nine players on the roster averaging at least eight points per game.
Gerald Green seems to have finally found a home, after refining his shot selection and honing a three-point shot that is now quite deadly. He’s averaging 13.9 points per game this season and posting an above-average PER of 15.3. The Suns space the court well and with Green, Dragic, Markieff Morris, Channing Frye and Marcus Morris, have a host of options on the three point line if the defense sags.
CHI Trends: UNDER 4-0 in last 4 following ATS loss; UNDER 4-0 in last 4 following SU loss; UNDER 5-0 in last 5 road games.
PHO Trends: 4-0 ATS in last 4 vs teams with losing records; 4-0 ATS in last 4 following ATS win; 4-0 ATS in last 4 following SU win.
Head-to-head: Bulls 4-0 ATS in last 4 meetings in Phoenix; OVER 6-1 in last 7 meetings in Phoenix; Bulls 7-3 ATS in last 10 meetings overall.
