2010-2011 Game Preview #77: Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns

[Thanks to Tim S., who pleaded for someone else to do a game preview, but still wound up doing it himself. What a trooper. Game is at 7 on The U. -ed.]

Okay, this is written in haste, so please be gentle if I get something wrong.

PG Steve Nash has missed a couple of games with the flu but may return tonight.  He made a funny in his twitter: "Guys, I'm feeling better this morning. I should feel great by the playoffs!!"  Too late, as he well knows.  SG Vince Carter may also be sidelined with a knee injury, although the way he has been playing that may be a blessing.  Even if Carter returns, he will likely come off the bench -- in the past few games SG/SF Jared Dudley has started ahead of him, and has played well.

Joakim Noah practiced and is also expected to return.  Boozer missed practice, but Thibs hopes he will play tonight.  That would be nice, because Bulls fans looking for something to worry about would like to see these two stars shine in the same lineup several times between tonight and, say, the Eastern Conference Finals.  (Is anyone still worried about the first two rounds?)  More after the jump.

The Spurs officially eliminated the Suns from the playoffs on Sunday, so the Suns are playing for pride and in a few cases for a contract -- but then again, they have nothing to lose, and may want to go out on a positive note. Still, they have no reason to play their starters long minutes, especially aging stars Nash and SF Grant Hill.

The Bulls, meanwhile, are not only playing to keep their position atop the Eastern Conference and ahead of the Lakers, but also are very much in the running for best record in the league. Keep an eye on the Spurs and Hawks in Atlanta, because if the Bulls beat the Suns and the Hawks beat the Spurs, the Bulls could gain a game on the Spurs and clinch the tiebreaker (record against the opposing conference). If the Bulls and Spurs both lose or both win, the tiebreaker will be a coin flip. Unfortunately, the Hawks may be missing Josh Smith (knee) tonight, while the Spurs will be at full strength, so I wouldn't count on anything.

Other than the ageless Nash, the positive stories for the Suns this year have been C Marcin Gortat's coming out party as a starter, Dudley's ascendance over a woeful Vince Carter, and Hill's solid-if-unspectacular play at age 38 (or maybe spectacular considering he is 38). Both Gortat and Dudley probably should have made the starting line up earlier in the year. PF Hakim Warrick (a former Bull) has also been above average.

On the "meh" side, C/PF Channing Frye and PG Aaron Brooks have been average. Unfortunately, Aaron Brooks was supposed to replace Steve Nash, and he's no Steve Nash, so maybe that's a negative.

On the negative side, C Robin Lopez has been disappointing, and Vince Carter has been very bad, especially considering what he is getting paid. SF/SG Josh Childress has also been strangely bad since returning from Europe, and unfortunately for the Suns they are locked into a hefty contract for his services until 2014/15. Maybe he'll turn it around next year (or whenever play resumes). Vince Carter is also due $18.3 million next year, but that may not be paid in a lockout, and if the season does take place he may have value because of his expiring contract. SG Zabian Dowdell has been horrid. None of the Suns' players are superstars, and Nash and Hill are aging. Despite the emergence of Gortat and Dudley as above average players, this team seems to be on the decline. But maybe they can turn Carter's expiring contract into something worthwhile. Nash's chances of getting a championship, though, are dwindling quickly.

Nevertheless, when healthy the Suns have a solid starting line up, especially now that Gortat and Dudley have replaced Lopez and Carter. They do not, however, have a solid second unit, so once again I expect the Bulls' bench to beat up on the Suns' bench. And I expect Rose to go off, since Nash has never been known for his defense and is still recovering from injury and illness. Gortat and Warrick could give Noah and Boozer some trouble if the Bulls don't play great, so it will be good to see how Noahzer (Boozoah? Geez, even their names don't mesh) handles a solid, above average starting front line. And since the Bulls have something to play for and the Suns do not, let's see whether the Suns can match the Bulls' effort. Unless the Bulls get complacent, I doubt it.

In addition to the Spurs/Hawks game mentioned above, we can also keep an eye on 76ers visiting the Celtics and Jazz visiting the Lakers (Gasol game-time decision with a right knee bone bruise), as well as the Thunder visiting the Nuggets just because it should be an awesome game and preview of the playoffs. There's a full slate of other games besides, with everyone well rested after last night off.