Chicago Bulls Defeat Phoenix Suns, 121-117, in Preseason Opener

Chicago Bulls basketball is back at the United Center. The result may not have mattered as much as a regular season game, but Wednesday night's preseason opener was a strong start to the Tiago Splitter era in the Windy City.

Against a Phoenix Suns team that reached the playoffs last season as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, the Bulls won their first preseason game, 124-117.

Seven Bulls scored in double figures, led by 14 points apiece from Norman Powell and Matas Buzelis. Jalen Smith, Chicago's starter at center, had 13 points and eight rebounds. Josh Giddey scored seven points and dished out seven assists.

Each of the Bulls' three rookies had their moments. No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson scored 15 points despite a middling 6-of-15 shooting night, while No. 15 overall pick Dailyn Swain shook off his Summer League struggles to post 10 points, six assists and two steals without missing a shot. Undrafted center Tobe Awaka recorded 14 points and 11 boards, six of which came on the offensive glass. Wilson, Swain and Awaka were responsible for 14 of Chicago's 30 personal fouls.

Leonard Miller also had 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 24 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Phoenix's star guard, Devin Booker, was limited to 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting, including 0-of-8 from deep.

Buzelis began the game exactly how Splitter envisioned: attacking aggressively off the dribble. The third-year forward made three of his first four baskets — all in the paint — to put the Bulls ahead early.

Wilson took some time to get acclimated, but made his first basket six minutes into the opening quarter. Chicago's top draft pick connected on a turnaround jumper from the elbow that gave the Bulls a 22-17 lead.

Swain earned his first basket shortly after, driving in transition against Suns guard Jordan Goodwin for a layup.

The Bulls' second unit struggled mightily. Chicago turned the ball over eight times in the first quarter, which directly led to 15 Suns points. Phoenix ended the period on a 31-12 run, pulling ahead through one quarter, 40-29.

Much of the same issues extended into the second, as the Suns' lead grew to 15 points. Buddy Hield then intercepted a cross-court pass and threw the ball ahead for Wilson, who dunked it home.

The jam helped Wilson find some momentum. Shortly after, the rookie navigated through traffic before finishing a reverse layup, despite contact. He converted on the and-one to bring his nightly total to nine points.

Chicago caught fire from deep near the end of the first half to pull closer. Giddey found Miller and Powell for three-pointers in the final minutes, then Powell connected from downtown again off a Buzelis assist. At the break, the Suns held a 64-62 lead over the Bulls.

The third quarter provided an opportunity for Splitter to experiment with lineups and dig into his bench. Splitter inserted former lottery picks Patrick Williams and Noa Essengue into the game as the 11th and 12th Bulls to take the court. Both teams went back and forth in a highly-contested period, with numerous players getting into foul trouble.

Williams splashed a three-pointer to give Chicago a 91-90 lead near the end of the third quarter. Seconds later, Hield forced a turnover on the inbound, sending the United Center into an eruption of cheers. Swain was fouled with 0.3 seconds to go and drilled both of his free throws, putting the Bulls ahead by three entering the final quarter.

With Chicago leading, 103-101, Splitter turned to Exhibit 10 players Brandon Boston Jr. and Drew Peterson as he began to empty the bench.

The Bulls will host the Memphis Grizzlies in their second preseason game in Friday night.