Bulls vs. Suns prediction, betting odds, and TV channel for March 18

The Chicago Bulls are back in action in Phoenix for a matchup with the Suns on Friday night. The 41-27 Bulls are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and the 56-14 Suns are in first in the Western Conference (and are the best team in the NBA).

The last time these two faced off, Phoenix beat Chicago on Feb. 7 by three points. DeMar DeRozan scored a game-high 38 points, while Zach LaVine had 32 points and Nikola Vucevic had 13 points.

The Suns are rolling, winning seven of their last 10 games. Their most recent win came over the Houston Rockets. Devin Booker led the team with 36 points. Deandre Ayton added 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Torrey Craig had 21 points on perfect shooting night as well as a season-high 14 rebounds.

On Wednesday night, Phoenix will be without Chris Paul (thumb), Cameron Johnson (quad), Frank Kaminsky (knee) and Dario Saric (knee). Jae Crowder (groin) is day-to-day.

Lonzo Ball (knee) and Patrick Williams (wrist) are out for the Bulls. Zach LaVine (knee soreness) is probable, though he’s been clearly hampered by the issue. Same goes for Alex Caruso, whose wrist injury is still clearly holding him back in the early going.

Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns betting odds, spread, over/under

According to WynnBet, the Suns are 5.5-point favorites to take home a victory tonight, and a -250 favorite on the money line. The Bulls are a +200 money line underdog.

The over/under is presently at 231 points.

Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Sus Prediction

The Bulls are coming off a loss against the Jazz and have lost seven of their last nine. Five of the seven losses in that stretch came at the hands of the league’s better teams, though. In their loss against the Jazz, they allowed Donovan Mitchell to score 25 points in the third quarter and never recovered from that spurt.

With LaVine battling knee pain, Caruso’s ability to contain Booker will be crucial. Chicago leads the NBA in pick and roll efficiency, so look for DeRozan and LaVine look to drive off of the pick against Ayton and JaVale McGee on the switch. More than anything, the Bulls will have to slow the pace down and make Phoenix execute in the half court without Chris Paul, but it’s still going to be incredibly difficult.

With the way the Bulls have been playing, we can’t confidently bet on them right now.

We’re taking the Suns -5.5 and over 231 points.

Suns 130, Utah 117.

Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns TV channel

The Bulls-Suns game can be viewed locally on NBC Sports Chicago or Bally Sports Arizona. Tip off is set for 9:00 p.m. CT.

Chicago Bulls schedule and upcoming games

Chicago will travel from Phoenix to Chicago for a home matchup against the Toronto Raptors and then bounce back and forth a bit:

• Mar. 21 vs Toronto
• Mar. 22 at Milwaukee
• Mar. 24 vs New Orleans
• Mar. 26 at Cleveland