This is a 10* NON-CONFERENCE TOM on the OVER Bulls/Suns.

Both teams have been playing several lower-scoring games of late, but everything points to a much faster-paced and higher-scoring "shootout" here finally in Phoenix for a couple of different reasons in my opinion.

Chicago enters only 29-39, but the Bulls are unquestionably playing their best basketball of the year right now, having won four of their last five. Over those five games, they've scored 114, 121, 116, 114 and 111 respectively.

I'm expecting Chicago to keep this offensive momentum rolling here vs. this suspect Suns defense. The Suns have seen the total go UNDER in five straight, but note that looking back Phoenix has seen the total eclipse the posted number in eight of its last 12 after playing to five or more straight UNDERS in a row.

Off a 129-89 win over the Raptors, I like Phoenix to carry over that offensive momentum here as well.

With each team pushing the pace like I'm expecting it to, everything does indeed point to this total flying well OVER the posted number before the final buzzer sounds.

Phoenix is 32-37 and it's just 2-3 in its last five.

Good luck, NP