2 min read • March 18, 2022
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The Suns - SIC score continue to chug along without Chris Paul, going 8-4 in their last 12 games including double-digit wins over the Heat, Lakers, and Pelicans.
Cameron Payne has shined as the starting point guard, averaging 14.1 points with 9.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds in the last 10 games.
Phoenix will miss 3-and-D wing Cameron Johnson with a quad contusion. Johnson has not played since scoring 38 points and hitting a buzzer-beater 3 over the Knicks on March 4. Veteran starter Jae Crowder is questionable with a groin injury that kept him out of the Suns’ win over the Rockets on Wednesday.
Without Johnson and Paul, Booker will be the focal point of the offense. The 2022 all-star is averaging 27.6 points, 7.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds on 54.5% shooting and 44.4% from 3 since returning from the health and safety protocols on March 9.
DeAndre Ayton has been another beneficiary of the lessened offensive weapons. He is averaging 21.4 points and 10.9 rebounds on 14.9 shots in the last 7 games.
The Bulls - SIC score are finally becoming whole again, with the return of Alex Caruso last week and the incoming additions of Patrick Williams and Lonzo Ball.
In the meantime, however, Chicago has lost 7 of its last 9 games while Zach Lavine has dealt with continued soreness in his surgically-repaired left knee. Lavine is listed as probable, and is expected to play his 3rd straight game, averaging 25.7 points and 4.7 rebounds since the all-star break.
Despite a resurgent season, the Bulls have struggled against playoff teams, going 7-18 versus teams in the top-6 of the Eastern and Western Conference including a 15-point loss in Utah on Wednesday.
Lavine and DeMar DeRozan both shined in the Bulls’ loss to Phoenix on February 7. DeRozan scored 38 points on 27 shots – 26 of which were 2-pointers – and Lavine scored 32 with 6 rebounds and 8 assists.
Potential Plays
Suns -5.5, -110
Cameron Payne O 7.5 assists, -122
DeAndre Ayton O 17.5 points, -122
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