While all the focus is on Super Bowl odds and NFL Picks right now, it's that time of the year when basketball teams become the teams they will be for the rest of the season. At the time of writing this, the lines have not come out but here are some betting tips for an interesting Friday matchup.
The Phoenix Suns (25-18) are led by two-time MVP Steve Nash and PF Amare Stoudamire. Before beating the New Jersey Nets at home 118-94 Wednesday, the Suns got swept in a four game road trip. Swingmen Jason Richardson, Grant Hill and Leandro Barbosa provide deadly playmakers for Nash and Stoudamire to distribute to. Defensively the Suns are miserable. Their up-tempo style of play doesn't allow for much defense, and they don't even try to hide it. Second year center Robin Lopez J-Rich and Jared Dudley are the only real defenders the team has, but the Suns average 110 points a game to make up for it.
The Chicago Bulls are an enigmatic team led by last year's Rookie of the year Derrick Rose who is playing like an all-star this season after starting slow. Center Joakim Noah has been much improved and is averaging a double-double this season with 11.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per with 1.7 block shots a game. Small forward Luol Deng is playing more like the former all-star than the section eight that we saw for much of the last two seasons. The Bulls do not have a true shooting guard as their options are Kirk Hinrich and Jannero Pargo, two converted point guards. Rose will be able to score at will against the Suns and should have some highlight plays in this game.
The Matchup
Amare Stoudamire is going to have a field day with Taj Gibson on him. The Suns like to spread the floor and Steve Nash is one of the best that ever was at this. The Bulls generally play a slower paced game but will find they won't be able to if the Suns get ahead. This is a game that can get away from the Bulls fast if they are careless. The Suns are excellent in transition and the Bulls turn the ball over too much, although less than in previous seasons.
Prediction: The Suns play well at home, and had a nice easy game against the Nets to right the ship after a four game skid that was preceded by defeats of the Lakers and Cavaliers at home. The Suns should be able to take this game with their fast paced style of play. If this game turns into a grind it out style, the Bulls have a shot. Nash is a guy you won't get to change how he plays that easily.
Final: Suns 110- Bulls 99
The Suns will probably be a -8 in this game and the over under will be around 220.
Sportsbook Parlay: Suns -8, under
