Phoenix Suns rooting guide for every Christmas Day game
By Dan Volpone
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz (8:30 pm MST)
This is a big matchup between Blazers’ point guard Damian Lillard (the guy we all wish the Suns could trade for but know they can’t) and Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (a worse version of Devin Booker).
Neither team is close to the Suns in the standings, and neither team is a favorite to compete in the Western Conference either. The Blazers, whom many counted out before the season, have gotten off to a quality 19-14 start (tied for fourth in the West), but the Jazz have underperformed this season, sitting at 16-18 (11th in the West).
If the Lakers lose in the game before, and if Portland wins at Utah, the Lakers would fall to sixth in the West. So that would be nice. It would also be nice if Mitchell over Booker takes didn’t resurface following a Jazz win on national television. So for those reasons alone, Suns fans should root for the Trail Blazers.