Bulls vs Suns prediction NBA · Sunday, January 10
At a glance
The Phoenix Suns (1-2) host the Chicago Bulls (1-4) on Sunday, January 10 at 7:00 PM ET at Mortgage Matchup Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Suns a 81% chance to win and projects a 109-120 score (Bulls – Suns), about 230 total points. This season, the Suns are 1-0 at home and the Bulls are 1-2 on the road. Since the start of the season: 1-2 for the Suns and 1-4 for the Bulls (current streaks: Suns L1, Bulls L3). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 22% of cases according to the model. Fatigue: the Bulls played the night before (back-to-back). Reported injuries: Patrick Williams (Bulls), Nic Claxton (Bulls) and Mark Williams (Suns). Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
On paper, the Suns dominate this matchup. The model projects Suns 120 – 109 Bulls, a margin of about 10.9 points in favor of the Suns and a total around 230 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Bulls played yesterday: fatigue often shows in the fourth quarter. The Suns will be without Mark Williams. The Bulls will be without Patrick Williams or Nic Claxton. Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (-1.4 vs -7.2 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Bulls need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Bulls' offense (115.6 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
- The Suns' defense allows clearly fewer points (113.6 pts/game).
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
CHIPHX
Players to watch
Bulls
Norman PowellG · #2421.6pts / game
Josh GiddeyG · #38.0assists
Jalen SmithF · #258.2reboundsSuns
Devin BookerG · #1522.7pts / gameDevin BookerG · #155.3assists
Khaman MaluachC · #107.3reboundsRecent form
CHI
135-92W
132-125L
124-120L
134-99L
133-127PHX
123-103L
119-116L
124-83W
131-122L
125-114
CHI
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| CHI | PHX | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Record | 1-2 |
| 115.6 | Points scored / game | 111.9 |
| 124.1 | Points allowed / game | 113.6 |
| -7.2 | Adjusted margin / game | -1.4 |
| L3 | Current streak | L1 |
| 1-4 | Last 10 games | 1-2 |
| 1-2 road | Home / road record | 1-0 home |
| 31-51 (-5.2) | Last season | 45-37 (+1.5) |
| Yes | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Bulls
Injury report Suns
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.