Chicago faces Phoenix, aims to halt 5-game slide
Chicago Bulls (19-52, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (17-54, 15th in the Western Conference)
Phoenix; Monday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Chicago looks to stop its five-game skid with a victory over Phoenix.
The Suns have gone 10-24 at home. Phoenix is at the bottom of the league shooting 32.9 percent from 3-point range.
The Bulls have gone 11-25 away from home. Chicago is 7-8 in games decided by less than 4 points. The Bulls won 124-116 in the last matchup between these two teams on Nov. 21. Zach LaVine led Chicago with 29 points and Devin Booker led Phoenix with 23 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Booker is scoring 25.5 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Suns. Kelly Oubre Jr. is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers and 20.5 points over the last 10 games for Phoenix.
LaVine leads the Bulls averaging 23.8 points and is adding 4.6 rebounds. Lauri Markkanen has averaged 16.4 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 39.6 percent over the last 10 games for Chicago.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 3-7, averaging 114.1 points, 44.1 rebounds, 21.7 assists, seven steals and five blocks per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.6 points on 49.1 percent shooting.
Suns: 6-4, averaging 115.1 points, 42.9 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 9.8 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.7 points on 46.8 percent shooting.
Suns Injuries: TJ Warren: out (ankle), Tyler Johnson: day to day (knee), Richaun Holmes: day to day (right quad strain).
Bulls Injuries: Wendell Carter Jr.: out (left thumb), Denzel Valentine: out for season (ankle), Chandler Hutchison: out (right toe fracture).