March 5, 2026 | United Center | 7:00 PM CT | NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago Bulls (25–37) host the Phoenix Suns (41–21) tonight, and this is going to be rough. They have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal—three legitimate superstars. We have DeMar DeRozan and a bunch of guys trying to figure out how to play together.
The Suns are 3rd in the West, winners of 7 of their last 10, and playing elite two-way basketball. We’re 12th in the East, twelve games under .500, and giving up 120.4 points per game.
Durant and Booker can score on anyone. Beal provides a third offensive weapon. They’re balanced, deep, and executing at a championship level. We’re… not.
For Bulls fans, this is one of those games where you just hope we don’t get embarrassed on national TV. Can we compete for three quarters? Can DeMar drop 35 and make it interesting? Or are we getting blown out by 20?
Where the Bulls Stand (Still Not Good)
Record: 25–37 (12th in East)
We’re twelve games under .500, and the play-in race is basically over. The defense is terrible (120.4 points allowed per game). The rebounding is a disaster (42.1 per game vs Phoenix’s 44.7). And we keep falling apart when it matters.
Key Players:
- DeMar DeRozan: Still getting his mid-range buckets, needs 35+ tonight
- Anfernee Simons: Inconsistent—desperately needs to show up against elite talent
- Collin Sexton: Provides energy off the bench, but not enough to change games
Billy Donovan keeps preaching fundamentals, but we haven’t executed consistently enough to beat good teams all season.
The Phoenix Suns: Championship Contenders
Record: 41–21 (3rd in West)
The Suns are legit championship contenders. Kevin Durant is still one of the best players alive. Devin Booker is an elite scorer and playmaker. Bradley Beal adds another offensive weapon when healthy.
Key Players:
- Kevin Durant (F): Future Hall of Famer, unstoppable scorer at 7 feet
- Devin Booker (G): Elite shot-maker, can score 40 on any given night
- Bradley Beal (G): Third star who provides scoring versatility
The Numbers:
- 118.7 points per game (elite offense)
- 111.2 points allowed per game (top-10 defense)
- 44.7 rebounds per game (dominate the glass)
They’re balanced, deep, well-coached, and executing at a championship level. This is what elite basketball looks like.
Breaking Down the Matchup
| Category | Bulls | Suns |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 114.8 | 118.7 |
| Points Allowed | 120.4 | 111.2 |
| Assists Per Game | 29.1 | 26.8 |
| 3-Pointers Made | 14.6 | 13.9 |
| Rebounding | 42.1 | 44.7 |
They score more. They defend way better. They rebound better. We pass slightly better and shoot slightly more threes. That’s about it.
The defensive gap is brutal—111.2 points allowed vs our 120.4. That 9.2-point difference per game is the gap between championship contenders and lottery teams.
What the Bulls Need to Do (Good Luck)
DeMar DeRozan Has to Be Perfect
DeMar needs 35+ points on efficient shooting just to keep us competitive. Phoenix doesn’t have anyone who can completely shut down his mid-range game, but Durant and their defense will make him work for every bucket.
Hit Threes at an Elite Clip
We shoot 14.6 threes per game vs their 13.9. If Simons, Sexton, and our shooters can knock down 17+ threes at 45%+, we have a puncher’s chance. If we go cold, we’re getting blown out.
Someone Has to Slow Down Durant and Booker
This is basically impossible. Durant and Booker are going to get theirs—they’re superstars for a reason. But if they combine for 70 points and make it look easy, we’re cooked. At least make them work for everything.
Win the Rebounding Battle (Not Happening)
Phoenix dominates the glass (44.7 per game). We can’t let them get easy offensive rebounds and second-chance points. At least make rebounding competitive.
Don’t Get Embarrassed at Home
The Suns are going to win. We know that. But if they beat us by 25+ at the United Center, that’s unacceptable. Compete for four quarters and make them earn it.
What Phoenix Will Bring
Kevin Durant will carve up our defense with unstoppable mid-range scoring. Devin Booker will hit tough shots and create for others. Bradley Beal will provide another offensive weapon when needed.
The Suns’ depth—both starters and bench—will overwhelm us. They’re championship-caliber for a reason. If we’re sloppy or don’t execute, this could get ugly fast.
The Prediction: We Get Handled
Final Score: Suns 119, Bulls 108
DeMar DeRozan battles and drops 34 points, showing he can still compete with elite teams. Anfernee Simons gets hot in the second quarter and scores 24. We hang around for a half behind three-point shooting.
But Kevin Durant takes over in the third quarter with 32 points on ridiculous efficiency. Devin Booker adds 28 with clutch shots. The Suns’ depth and execution pull away in the fourth quarter.
Eleven-point loss feels about right. We compete for a half, show some fight, but ultimately the talent and execution gap is too much to overcome.
Why This Game Matters (Even Though We’re Probably Losing)
We’re 12th in the East. The play-in is gone. The season’s essentially over.
So why does tonight matter?
Because the Suns represent what championship teams look like. Elite star power. Balance. Execution. Depth. Everything we’re not.
DeMar DeRozan deserves to compete against the best. Our fans deserve to see us fight against elite talent like Durant and Booker. And maybe—just maybe—we can steal a win nobody expects.
Realistically? We’re getting beaten by a much better team. But it’s basketball. Anything can happen.
See Red. Compete with the best (even though we’ll probably lose).
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