Suns at Bulls
THE STORY:
An elite matchup of point guards may not occur when the Chicago Bulls
host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Bulls star Derrick Rose’s ailing left
big toe forced him to miss Monday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and
the reigning MVP will be a game-time decision against two-time MVP Steve
Nash and the Suns. Rose tested the toe prior to the game against
Grizzlies and didn’t feel comfortable and is hopeful he won’t have to
miss a second consecutive contest. “I’ll try my hardest, but if not I’ll
have to sit out again,” Rose said. “It’s my decision.” Nash returned
from a one-game absence because of a quadriceps injury Sunday and had 20
points and 10 assists against the San Antonio Spurs but couldn’t
prevent the Suns from losing their fourth straight game. Phoenix is 1-4
on the road and is playing the second contest of a five-game road trip.
Chicago is 5-0 at home and allowing only 66.8 points per game. Atlanta’s
74 points represents the highest output by an opponent at the United
Center.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), CS Chicago
ABOUT THE SUNS (4-8): Center Marcin Gortat has been superb through
the first dozen games. The 6-foot-11 native of Poland had 24 points and
15 rebounds against the Spurs for this fourth consecutive double-double.
The 20-point outing was his second in a row and third of the season.
Gortat is shooting 62 percent from the field and has excelled at
understanding how to get open for easy baskets when Nash is penetrating
or intent on running the pick-and-roll. Gortat is averages a team-best
14.3 points.
ABOUT THE BULLS (12-3): Chicago’s backcourt
depth received a boost when C.J. Watson returned from an elbow injury to
score 17 points in 28 minutes the 102-86 loss to Memphis. The Bulls
have been shy on guards with Watson sidelined for nine games and veteran
Richard Hamilton idle for 10 of the last 11 contests with a groin
injury. Watson said he’s still feeling pain and his aiming to play
through it. John Lucas III drew the start in place of Rose but was
ineffective in 20 minutes.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Chicago has won five of the past six meetings with Phoenix.
2. Rose is averaging 25.5 points in six career contests against the Suns.
3. Nash leads the NBA in assists at 10.1 per game.