March 18, 2022; Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker on offense vs. Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso — © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Keys to Chicago Bulls’ road game vs. Phoenix Suns

The Suns beat the Bulls 129-102 in their last meeting on March 18

Author:
Stephen Beslic
Nov 30, 2022 9:34 AM EST

In this story:

Phoenix Suns

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls (9-11) visit the Phoenix Suns (14-6), looking to win their second straight game after a 114-107 road victory against the Jazz on Monday. Here are the keys for tonight's game.

Chicago Bulls (9-11) vs. Phoenix Suns (14-6)

Wednesday, November 30 – 09:00 PM ET at Footprint Center

Chicago Bulls

Points Per Game: 112 (17th of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 111.8 (13th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 32.7 (20th of 30)
Pace: 99.9 (11th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 111.5 (21st of 30)
Defensive Rating: 111.2 (10th of 30)
Net Rating: +0.2 (16th of 30)

Phoenix Suns

Points Per Game: 115 (11th of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 108.2 (6th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 32.2 (23rd of 30)
Pace: 97.6 (24th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 117.1 (2nd of 30)
Defensive Rating: 110.2 (6th of 30)
Net Rating: +6.9 (2nd of 30)

Patrick Williams needs to have a big game

Patrick Williams is averaging 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 28.2 minutes over 13 games in November while shooting 50 percent overall and 50 percent from beyond the arc.

It's crucial for the Bulls that Williams is at his best tonight because they can't win this game if he isn't dominant against Phoenix’s frontcourt.

The Suns will be without Cameron Johnson, who was playing at a high level since moving into the starting lineup before he went down with a non-contact right knee injury.

With Johnson out and Jae Crowder refusing to join the team, head coach Monty Williams’ options at power forward are limited. Torrey Craig has done a decent job replacing Johnson, but Williams has to take advantage of this matchup and put up big numbers in order for Chicago to win.

Don’t let anyone help Devin Booker

Devin Booker has been unstoppable thus far; he ranks ninth in the league in scoring averaging 27.9 points per game. Booker's playmaking has also improved without Chris Paul, as he's averaging 6.4 assists in his last 10 games while putting the Suns on his back.

Booker has been very consistent, scoring at least 20 points in 12 of his last 14 games, but no other Suns player has been a difference-maker on offense regularly. That's why containing players like Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton is a must for the Bulls -- both of them haven't been able to impose themselves as a clear second option with CP3 out.