The Suns have won two straight at home dispatching the Clippers and Nuggets by double-digits. Following another likely margin win over the Lakers Monday, the Suns will get a stronger challenge from the Bulls, who are actually playing strong efficiency defense under new coach Fred Hoiberg ranking top-5 in the league with the Suns No. 7.
Both teams play Monday night at home before the Bulls travel West to play four games in 10 days.
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WHEN THE CHICAGO BULLS HAVE THE BALL
The Bulls top efficiency player is shooting guard Jimmy Butler, who is scoring 19 points per game but ranks No. 42 in the league in player efficiency ratings combining numerous statistical profiles. Butler scored a season-high 27 points last game as the Bulls got their redemption over Charlotte.
The offensive flow has not hit stride yet in new coach Fred Hoiberg’s system as the Bulls are just league average in efficiency FG shooting and No. 23 in the league in offensive efficiency. Joakim Noah is averaging just 2.5 points on 30.8 percent shooting but continues to help the Bulls in other areas up front.
Chicago will likely enter off a less than productive performance Monday against division rival Indiana and the Pacers’ top-10 defensive efficiency. Derrick Rose is shooting less than 6-percent from 3-point range and shooting just 36 percent FG while scoring a career-low 12 points per game.
He’s been dealing with double vision and will now have to deal with Suns PG Eric Bledsoe blowing by him and pulling up to hit shots.
WHEN THE PHOENIX SUNS HAVE THE BALL
A key matchup is at point guard, where the Suns Eric Bledsoe is already having a career year to start the season. Bledsoe has been a star since arriving in Phoenix in 2013, and he’s having his finest season since becoming a first round pick of Oklahoma City in 2010.
Since trading Goran Dragic in February, Bledsoe has blossomed. He’s hitting nearly 50 percent FG and increased his shots to nearly 17 per game. The result is 23 points per game including 30 last Saturday in the home rout of Denver even while he sat out the fourth quarter. Bledsoe is also hitting 40 percent from the arc and the team is hitting 45 percent from long range over the last five games. Bledsoe is top-10 in the NBA in player efficiency ratings and he’ll be worthy of a player props wager incorporating points and assists over counterpart Derrick Rose.
Suns center Tyson Chandler now mans the middle in his first season with Phoenix, and he gives the Suns a stronger presence inside to battle Bulls center Pau Gasol in this matchup.
LIVE BETTING AND MATCHUPS TRENDS
The Bulls are 6-3 but just 3-6 ATS entering their Monday night home game against rival Indiana. Chicago will be an underdog for the first time this NBA season at Phoenix, where the Suns are hitting their stride.
It’s tough to gauge the total and scoring in this matchup, but live betting should be geared towards Bledsoe and whether the Suns are able to push the pace. Phoenix ranks No. 2 in the league in pace behind only the Wizards, and perhaps Bulls coach Hoiberg will enjoy letting his team run with the Suns.
Recall the Bulls were blown out at Charlotte 130-105 when the Hornets played with purpose in the best game of their season. Chicago is top-10 in pace of play and also ranks top-5 in fewest turnovers while the Suns are No. 29 in both turnovers and assists.
Watching this game focusing on the pace of play as adjustments to the live betting odds with the potential for streaky scoring could be beneficial.
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