Bulls vs. Suns odds, prediction: NBA picks, best bets Wednesday
The NBA inevitably delivers the drama.A six-month regular season of visible millionaires with podcasts and accessible social media can create numerous soap opera storylines. The Phoenix Suns may embody this more than any other team.Tension has mounted with Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause and an underperforming season.Three future Hall of Famers with a championship coach began the year with a win total that ranked them in the top third.But they currently sit five games below .500 and in the draft lottery.On top of that, they are 27-41-1 against the spread (ATS), which is the league’s third-worst.That record measures a team’s performance against expectations and thus reinforces the narrative.What’s been even more eye-opening are their results following wins and losses.
Phoenix is actually 20-17 ATS after a loss, which means the talent actually tends to perform to its capabilities once it is motivated and challenged. However, they are a laughable 7-23-1 ATS off a win, which reinforces what we all see.This is a skilled yet apathetic and unprofessional group that will never consistently deliver on its potential.
Leadership and chemistry matter in sports, and they are clearly lacking both.That’s why I am backing the Chicago Bulls as seven-point road underdogs Wednesday.The Suns were embarrassed Sunday against the Lakers and then responded with a 40-point home win over the Toronto Raptors.That means they are likely overconfident and ripe for an underwhelming performance.Additionally, Chicago is playing much better since the trade deadline.The Bulls have covered six straight games and are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games.
A large reason for this is Josh Giddey’s emergence as a creator, following the trade of Zach LaVine.Giddey has missed Chicago’s last three games with an ankle injury but could return.Regardless, the Bulls are managing without him and surpassing expectations because they are playing hard and cohesively.That is not something I can say abou...