The Phoenix Suns continue their five-game homestand Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls at 7 p.m., at PHX Arena.
The Suns are looking to win two games in a row for the first time since late January. The game will air on Arizona’s Family (3TV in Phoenix).
Phoenix (32-37) defeated Toronto,129-89, for its largest margin of victory. Phoenix is one game behind Dallas for the 10th and final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
The Mavs face Indiana on the road Wednesday.
The Bulls (29-39) are tied with Miami for the 9th and 10th play-in spots in the Eastern Conference. Chicago is coming off an 111-97 win over Utah Monday as part of a four-game road trip.
The Suns defeated the Bulls in their previous meeting in Chicago, 121-117, on Feb. 22.
Check back at azcentral.com for live game updates.
Durant hot start, Suns up 31-22 after one
The Phoenix Suns appear to be building off their largest margin of victory as they take a 31-22 lead over the Chicago Bulls after one.
The Suns have scored 12 points off six Chicago turnovers and only have two turnovers. The Bulls haven’t scored any points off the Phoenix turnovers.
Kevin Durant has 11 points after scoring just 14 in Monday’s win over Toronto.
The Suns led by as many as 11 points.
Budenholzer sticking with starting two-way player
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer started two-way player Collin Gillespie in place of an injured Bradley Beal in the second half of Sunday’s road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Beal strained his left hamstring in the first half Sunday, didn’t play Monday in the second of a back-to-back against Toronto and is out for Wednesday’s game versus Chicago.
Gillespie made his first career start Monday in place of Beal and is starting again Wednesday.
Why?
“Defensively, felt like we need to find ways as a team to be better,” said Budenholzer as the Suns are 26th in the NBA in defensive rating. “Again, we’re always talking about different combinations, different ways to use guys. He’s pesky, he gets up in, he picks up full court, get on the boards.”
Gillespie is starting with Devin Booker, rookie Ryan Dunn, Kevin Durant and Nick Richards while the Bulls are starting Tre Jones, Coby White, Matas Buzelis, Kevin Huerter and Nikola Vucevic.
Budenholzer also likes Tyus Jones, who has started 57 games this season, with the second unit and playing off Devin Booker.
Injury update: Three key players out for Phoenix
Phoenix Suns guards Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen and big Mason Plumlee are ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
Beal remains out with a left hamstring strain and is scheduled for a re-evaluation Monday. Allen will miss a fifth straight game with a left foot strain. Plumlee is listed out with a left quad strain.
Chicago’s Lonzo Ball is out with a wrist injury, while Josh Giddey (ankle) is available after being listed as questionable.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns-Bulls live updates: Kevin Durant fast start, Phoenix up 9
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