Bulls vs Suns Betting Odds – Flu-ridden Bulls continue road woes in Phoenix

NBA Odds – Pick Suns

If online betting players could combine the defensive efforts of Chicago’s with Phoenix’s run-and-gun style, you’d have a perennial NBA title challenger. The Bulls head into the desert on Friday night, and not only are they awful on the road, but the flu is going around their locker room. Look for the Suns to take advantage of this.

WHAT: NBA betting

WHEN: Friday, January 22, 10:30 PM ET

WHERE: US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ

KEY STATS: Phoenix is 16-4 at home; Chicago is 4-15 on the road

The Storyline - Bulls vs Suns Betting Odds

The Bulls (18-22) have gotten off to a bad start in their Western swing, losing in Golden State and in Los Angeles to the Clippers with five games to go. The Suns (25-18) snapped a four-game skid (all on the road) by routing lowly New Jersey on Wednesday, and they’re a far better team at home.

Offensive Matchups - Bulls vs Suns Betting Odds

The Bulls have the fourth-worst offense in the NBA, which is a shame because they’re 7-2 when they score 100 points or more. Derrick Rose is averaging 23.6 points over his last five games, but there’s no one else who can create their own shot? John Salmons? Kirk Hinrich? Can they bring back Michael Jordan?

The Suns do one thing, and they do it well: score points. The Suns lead the league in points per game, although they were held to 99 points in a 26-point loss in Charlotte last Saturday. They run pick-and-rolls between Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire, and the rest of the team spots up on the perimeter.

Betting Edge: Suns

Defensive Matchups - Bulls vs Suns Betting Odds

Chicago’s defense still isn’t good enough to counter their miserable offense, but Joakim Noah may get some Defensive Player of the Year votes for his rebounding skills, as he trails just Orlando’s Dwight Howard in that category. Tyrus Thomas is still playing his way into shape after an injury, and his athleticism helps the Bulls on that end of the floor.

Sportsbook players know already: the Suns don’t care about defense. They tried to last year, and it just ended up in Terry Porter getting fired. As long as Nash and Stoudamire are in town, defense is a secondary priority. Actually, post-game plans may be more of a priority than defense.

Betting Edge: Bulls

Notable Injuries - Bulls vs Suns Betting Odds

Hinrich (flu) is recovering, and he played 37 minutes against the Clippers on Wednesday, while Salmons (flu) sat the game out.

The Suns will have a full roster of players to choose from.

Betting Edge: Suns

Betting Prediction - Bulls vs Suns Betting Odds

The Suns will be favored at home, and they’ve won seven of their last 10 against the Bulls, but Chicago has won the last two meetings, and two of their three wins have come in Phoenix. However, the Suns will come out quickly on Friday, and they’re so happy to be back home, where they are 16-4. The Bulls are only 4-15 away from the Windy City, and with the flu going around the Chicago team, they’re not at full strength. Look for the Suns to push the pace, and this game could be over by halftime.

Craig’s Pick: Phoenix

BetOnline’s The Betting Edge has the best tips in the industry as you prepare to make your sports betting picks. For more on the Bulls vs Suns matchup, please visit our stats section.

Colts, Saints pave way for Super Bowl showdown

Those following the Super Bowl line for this year’s big game are looking towards the quarterback position for hints on who will be in Miami on February 7^th, and the top two vote-getters in the MVP race will lead their team to Florida.

In the AFC, Indianapolis is a 7.5-point favorite at home, led by Peyton Manning, who set an NFL record with his fourth MVP award. The Jets are backed by a strong running game and defensive unit, but the Colts will try to put the pressure on New York rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, who hasn’t had to do much during the playoffs, but he’s come up big when he’s had to. However, the Colts can stop the Jets on the ground, which will make it a battle between Manning and Sanchez. We’re taking the NFL MVP. (Indianapolis -7.5)

The NFC pits New Orleans and Minnesota against one another, and this matchup is closer as Drew Brees, who finished behind Manning in the MVP race, will take on Brett Favre, who has three MVPs of his own. However, the 40-year-old has had some problems on the road, where the Vikings have lost their last three, and they’re heading into the hostile Superdome, who is hungry to see their Saints in the Super Bowl for the first time. Take the Saints in these bookmaker odds (bookmaker reviews). (New Orleans -3.5)