3 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls' lopsided loss to the Phoenix Suns

The Bulls had no answer for Phoenix star Devin Booker who torched them for 51 points.

The Phoenix Suns demolished the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, winning by a final score of 132-113. This was an embarrassing loss for the Bulls that dropped them to 9-12 for the season. Here are three takeaways from the one-sided rout in Phoenix.

Devin Booker's incredible night

Let's start by talking about the elephant in the room: Devin Booker's 51-point performance in only three quarters.

“It felt like a double-sized rim out there,” Booker said. “If I rise up, it’s going in.”

The Kentucky product was on fire all game long and eviscerated any defender Bulls head coach Billy Donovan placed in front of him. Booker was especially lethal in the third quarter, scoring 10 points in the first three minutes of that stretch. He scored 26 points in the third, capping his night with a steal and two-handed slam, bringing his point total to 51.

Absent defense

Even without two starters, the Suns were able to take advantage of the Bulls' porous defense. Phoenix shot 15-for-33 from the three-point line and finished with 22 assists on 49 made shots (52.7 FG%).

Coming into the game, Chicago featured a formidable defense that ranked 10th in the league in defensive rating. However, they completely failed to stop the Suns' potent offense last night, which resulted in a blowout loss on the road.

Lone bright spot

DeMar DeRozan was Chicago's lone bright spot against the Suns as he scored 29 points on a very efficient 11-of-17 shooting from the field. He added seven rebounds and four assists, but those numbers were hardly enough to dent the Suns' confidence as they led by double-figures from the second quarter onwards.

Zach LaVine added 21 points and seven assists as four of the five starters scored in double-figures; Ayo Dosunmu had 11 and Nikola Vucevic added 17 points and 8 rebounds.

Up Next: the Bulls' road trip will not get any easier as they take on the reigning champions Golden State Warriors led by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green on Friday.