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Del Negro returns to Phoenix as Bulls try to win third straight

Jan 31, 2009 - 11:18 AM Chicago (20-27) at Phoenix (25-19) 9:00 p.m. EST

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- There will be an air of familiarity around the US Airways Center this weekend as the Phoenix Suns host the Chicago Bulls.

Chicago Bulls head coach Vinny Del Negro, who spent the previous two seasons in the Suns' front office, will bring his new team into his old home on Saturday night for the first time.

Del Negro was Steve Kerr's assistant general manager last campaign after one year as the club's director of player personnel. His presence isn't the only thing that may look familiar. The first-year head coach has installed an offensive system in Chicago reminiscent of Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun attack - though certainly a toned-down version, and one that hasn't yet found much success.

The Bulls are averaging just under 100 points per contest, putting them right in the middle of the pack, but have yet to get much production from their frontcourt and have been consistently inconsistent.

The team recently suffered through a seven-game losing streak before winning two straight - albeit against opponents with a combined 74 losses.

The Suns, meanwhile, no longer resemble the team that Del Negro once worked for. D'Antoni is gone and so is his high-powered system, replaced by Terry Porter and his slowed-down, halfcourt attack that has found former MVP point guard Steve Nash running his offense through 36-year-old center Shaquille O'Neal.

Phoenix has lost four of six, including Thursday's 114-104 home setback to the rival San Antonio Spurs.