March 5, 2026 | United Center | 7:00 PM CT | NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago Bulls (25โ37) host the Phoenix Suns (41โ21) tonight, and this is going to be rough. They have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Bealโthree 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. Weโre 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. Theyโre balanced, deep, and executing at a championship level. Weโreโฆ not.
For Bulls fans, this is one of those games where you just hope we donโt 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: 25โ37 (12th in East)
Weโre 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 Phoenixโs 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: Inconsistentโdesperately 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 havenโt executed consistently enough to beat good teams all season.
The Phoenix Suns: Championship Contenders
Record: 41โ21 (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)
Theyโre 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. Thatโs about it.
The defensive gap is brutalโ111.2 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 doesnโt 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 puncherโs chance. If we go cold, weโre getting blown out.
Someone Has to Slow Down Durant and Booker
This is basically impossible. Durant and Booker are going to get theirsโtheyโre superstars for a reason. But if they combine for 70 points and make it look easy, weโre cooked. At least make them work for everything.
Win the Rebounding Battle (Not Happening)
Phoenix dominates the glass (44.7 per game). We canโt let them get easy offensive rebounds and second-chance points. At least make rebounding competitive.
Donโt Get Embarrassed at Home
The Suns are going to win. We know that. But if they beat us by 25+ at the United Center, thatโs 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 Sunsโ depthโboth starters and benchโwill overwhelm us. Theyโre championship-caliber for a reason. If weโre sloppy or donโt 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 Sunsโ 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 Weโre Probably Losing)
Weโre 12th in the East. The play-in is gone. The seasonโs essentially over.
So why does tonight matter?
Because the Suns represent what championship teams look like. Elite star power. Balance. Execution. Depth. Everything weโre not.
DeMar DeRozan deserves to compete against the best. Our fans deserve to see us fight against elite talent like Durant and Booker. And maybeโjust maybeโwe can steal a win nobody expects.
Realistically? Weโre getting beaten by a much better team. But itโs basketball. Anything can happen.
See Red. Compete with the best (even though weโll probably lose).
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