Chicago Bulls vs Suns Prediction 8 October 2026

This will be Chicago’s first game under new head coach Splitter. The Bulls underwent a major overhaul this summer, bringing in Graham as the new president of basketball operations, Splitter as head coach, and introducing fresh faces throughout the rotation. Coach Splitter has already named four starters for this matchup: Giddey, Powell, Buzelis, and Wilson. The fifth spot - the center position - remains up in the air due to Claxton’s injury.

Splitter’s main philosophy is all about speed. He plans to run a nine-to-eleven man rotation, insisting that playing just eight guys is impossible given the tempo he wants. With Claxton sidelined for the entire preseason, J. Smith or Collins will get an opportunity at the big man spot. While Smith is more of a stretch-four who can space the floor, he won’t provide the same level of rim protection and rebounding as Claxton. That’s an area Phoenix could look to exploit.

The Suns head into this matchup with the advantage of already having a game under their belt. They opened their preseason campaign against Detroit on Monday (107-109), where their starting five looked cohesive and aggressive. However, once the starters gave way to the reserves in the second half, Phoenix unraveled and squandered a 19-point lead. Despite logging just 16 minutes, Booker finished as the top scorer with 13 points. Bridges also impressed, showcasing exactly what he was brought in for: athleticism, defense, and an ability to get out in transition.

Interestingly, Phoenix - much like Chicago - are facing a significant issue at center. Williams recently went down for several months. Ighodaro got the nod in the starting lineup last time out, but Maluach is also in contention for the role. Ighodaro brings more experience and defensive versatility, while Maluach offers superior athleticism and a three-point shot. For the preseason, it’s not a major concern: both players will see plenty of minutes as the coaching staff evaluates their options.