Chicago Bulls vs Phoenix Suns 3/18/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions

Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns Matchup Preview (3/18/22)

In what will be the Chicago Bulls’ 15th game against a top-three seed in either conference, they will hope to finally win one of them on the road against the Phoenix Suns. Chicago has struggled mightily against top-notch talent, regardless of conference, and it has been somewhat eyebrow-raising. The Bulls will still be without starting point guard Lonzo Ball and starting forward Patrick Williams for this matchup; however, Williams should be back sooner versus later. The Suns have worked hard to stay relevant even after Chris Paul suffered a finger injury, going 8-4. They will also be without Cam Johnson, who has become an integral part of the offense every game. See who I have covering the spread below in this matchup that features several All-Stars and what should be many highlights!

Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds

The current spread sits around six, with the Suns being the home favorites. This game feels like one where the Suns pull away at the end for a ten or 12-point victory. Keep an eye on Jae Crowder’s injury status as he provides many intangibles for this Suns team. Let’s hope he plays. I would lean ever so slightly towards the over for the point total. Look at the Suns’ past three games; they scored 140, 131, and 129 points in those matchups. Meanwhile, the Bulls are still a sporadic and inconsistent defense resulting in high-scoring games, especially for their opponent.

How To Watch

Date: 3/18/22
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Arena: Footprint Center – Phoenix, AZ
Channel: NBA TV

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Chicago Bulls Starting Lineup

PG: Ayo Dosunmu
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Javonte Green
C: Nikola Vucevic

Chicago Bulls Analysis

There were a few moments during the 2021-22 NBA regular season where we all legitimately saw the Chicago Bulls as Eastern Conference contenders. That can revert to being the case if Lonzo Ball and Patrick Williams get healthy and return before the playoffs. The good news for Chicago is that Williams has been recently cleared for full contact; however, Ball still has no actual timetable for a potential return. Bulls fans can only hope that it is just before the start of the NBA Playoffs. The Bulls have struggled in their past few games; they are just 2-3 in their past five, including back-to-back losses and against top-tier talent. Out of the 14 games that the Chicago Bulls have played against the top three seeds in both conferences, they have won zero games. It is pretty unfathomable that a team with such talent, including DeMar DeRozan, who has been an MVP candidate (albeit, small chances to win at this point) for several months. Additionally, they have Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine, who could each drop 20+ points on any given night. This game will be the 15th of the season for the Bulls against the top three seeds in both conferences, so hopefully, they can overcome the drought in this matchup against the best team in the NBA.

Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup

PG: Cam Payne
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Torrey Craig
C: Deandre Ayton

Phoenix Suns Analysis

Phoenix has performed much better without All-Star point guard Chris Paul than I thought. While we always talk about the Phoenix Suns’ culture and their “next man up” mentality, it still surprises most of us every time they overcome significant adversity. It is not just Chris Paul who they are missing; they are also without Cam Johnson, a substantial scorer off the bench for the Suns. Johnson is a crucial piece to this team, too, and his value should not be undervalued. Regardless, Phoenix has managed to win three straight games, all by double-digits, despite being without those two. During that span, Phoenix holds a respectable 8-4 record and looks like it will be safely in first place in the Western Conference by the end of the regular season. If the Suns can replicate their last game with four players scoring at least 21 or more points, it will be a tall task for the Bulls to grab a home win. Time will tell.

Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns Daily Fantasy Picks

There is no denying that DeMar DeRozan has cooled off ever so slightly since his rampage of 35+ point outings, but that has allowed other players to step up and contribute on the offensive side of the ball. One of those players to rise to the occasion has been Zach LaVine, who has averaged roughly 28 points, five rebounds, and five assists in his past five games. LaVine has had another terrific season, even though he has delegated some offensive responsibility to DeMar DeRozan, one of recent NBA history’s more impressive comeback stories. I particularly love the volume that DeRozan has gotten from behind the arc during that span, shooting an average of eight three-pointers per game. There is a high likelihood of Mikal Bridges being assigned duties on DeRozan, which frees up LaVine to get more shots off. I feel he will have a solid DFS outing, so check him out for this matchup.

Mikal Bridges has hit the over on so many individual player props that I feel compelled to extend the blessing. Bridges is an incredibly efficient offensive player who utilizes scoring in transition, back cuts, and mid-post fadeaway jumpers in the middle of the floor. Don’t ask me why, but he cannot be stopped in those scenarios. Mikal’s stats on the season are excellent for a complementary offensive player; however, he has been spectacular in his past 23 games, averaging 18 points, five rebounds, and three assists! I love Bridges in this matchup due to the Bulls’ lackluster defense that can easily get lost on defense. Bridges should excel when guarded by DeMar DeRozan, an average defender at best throughout his career.