In a much-needed victory, the Phoenix Suns triumphed over the Chicago Bulls with a score of 121-117 on Saturday, marking the end of their four-game losing streak. Devin Booker led the charge with 29 points and eight assists, while Kevin Durant contributed 27 points and Bradley Beal marked his return to the starting lineup with 25 points. This win was significant as it was their first with the trio of Booker, Durant, and Beal playing together since January 31.
As they embarked on the third leg of a five-game road trip, the Suns managed to overcome an early deficit to secure the win against Chicago, who are currently on a six-game losing streak. The Bulls were led by Josh Giddey, who posted an impressive 24 points along with 10 assists and eight rebounds.
The Suns had a sluggish start, missing their first seven shots and recording a mere 29.2% shooting in the opening quarter. This allowed Chicago to take a 10-point lead, capped off by a buzzer-beater from Tre Jones. However, a remarkable second quarter for Phoenix, where they hit 16 of 21 shots, saw them take a two-point lead by halftime.
Phoenix maintained a sizeable 12-point advantage in the third quarter, but the Bulls managed to claw back, entering the final quarter just three points behind. With the game hanging in the balance in the closing moments, White tied the game for Chicago at 111 with a crucial layup. But Beal’s three-pointer from the left wing sealed the deal for the Suns.
From this game, a couple of takeaways emerged. For the Suns, their ability to refocus and regain their composure was essential for this win. The Bulls, meanwhile, saw promising play from rookie Matas Buzelis, who scored 15 points, yet struggled to maintain consistent scoring from the rest of the team after the first quarter.
A critical statistical point was that Chicago committed 21 personal fouls compared to Phoenix’s 11, illustrating the Bulls’ defensive struggles.
Looking ahead, the Suns are set to face Toronto on Sunday night, while the Bulls will travel to Philadelphia for their matchup on Monday.
