The NBA preseason continues with a five-game slate scheduled between Wednesday and Thursday, offering no standings points but vital evaluation opportunities as teams prepare for the new season. The action opens at 01:00 Italian time as the Indiana Pacers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. At 02:00, the Memphis Grizzlies meet the Orlando Magic, while the Chicago Bulls square off against the Phoenix Suns. The night concludes at 04:00 with the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Milwaukee Bucks.
Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns Showcase New Backcourt Rotations
The matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns stands out as the most compelling fixture of the night, functioning as a real-world test for two rosters forced to redesign their offensive depth. The Bulls lean heavily on Josh Giddey to dictate tempo and ball movement, alongside Collin Powell who supplies immediate scoring punch, and Matas Buzelis, who steps into expanded responsibilities. Meanwhile, the Suns anchor their system around Devin Booker while bolstering an already deep perimeter rotation with the additions of Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Miles Bridges. Roster availability remains a factor as Phoenix plays without Williams, while Chicago misses Nic Claxton, Zach Collins, and Jalen Smith.
Historical Matchups Favors Phoenix Heading Into Preseason Test
Meetings in the spring of 2026 yielded an even split with one victory apiece. However, expanding the scope to their last five head-to-head encounters shows Phoenix holding the upper hand with four wins to Chicago’s single victory. Factoring in current personnel absences and historical results, Phoenix enters the floor as the nominal favorite. The outcome will likely hinge on marginal details and the effectiveness of deeper rotation pieces as the game progresses.
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