The Phoenix Suns have been big game hunters so far this year, boasting a 10-4 record against teams with 25 wins or more this season. However, in the Western Conference at least, one wild beast still remains on their kill list—an all too familiar one which hails from Salt Lake City.
But tonight, the Valley Boys get their first crack at it, facing off against the Utah Jazz in the first of two games spaced out over the next three days. The Suns last played their longtime rivals in late April last season, setting this up as a highly anticipated reunion for both sides.
Phoenix Suns vs Utah Jazz Odds, Moneyline, Prediction
According to WynnBET, the Suns come into this one favored at a -11.0 point spread. Their moneyline odds are at -600, and the game’s over/under currently sits at 221.5 points. Vegas’s reasoning behind these numbers, which heavily point toward a Phoenix win, most certainly relate to each team’s current injuries.
After losing Donovan Mitchell to a concussion, which will hold him out from tonight’s game as well, the Jazz went 1-2, even dropping one contest to the lowly Houston Rockets. But making matters worse, the Jazz will also be without three other starters, fully punting on this one.
The Suns lost Deandre Ayton last week, and without much news coming from the Suns about his sprained ankle, he seems expected to miss tonight too. But even without their star big man, the Suns own a 3-0 record. Cameron Payne and Jae Crowder have been ruled out tonight, but also minus them, the Suns possess a solid track record, putting up a combined 7-4 record.
On all accounts, Phoenix looks better equipped to handle themselves minus their key players whereas Utah does not, and with tonight being a matchup of that nature, the good guys get the nod.
Phoenix Suns vs Utah Jazz Lineups
Without Ayton and Crowder, expect to see JaVale McGee and Cameron Johnson take their spots to start the game. Both Ayton and Crowder missed time earlier this year upon going into league health and safety protocols, so this five does have some experience together.
- PG: Chris Paul
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Cameron Johnson
- C: JaVale McGee
The Jazz will field an almost entirely different lineup than usual tonight, featuring several unfamiliar faces behind sparkplug Jordan Clarkson.
- PG: Jordan Clarkson
- SG: Trent Forrest
- SF: Rudy Gay
- PF: Royce O’Neale
- C: Eric Paschall
Phoenix Suns vs Utah Jazz Prediction
With all the subtractions to both teams weighed out, Utah’s feels the heaviest especially with Mitchell unable to play.
Only Clarkson heating up and a few other role players hitting timely shots makes this one a contest. As it stands now, the Jazz average the most 3-pointers made per game, and three of Phoenix’s nine losses have been against teams ranking top-10 in that category.
So with that, Utah the blueprint is clear—they need to blitz Phoenix from beyond the arc, picking up what the Miami Heat put down during that game earlier this month.
However, the Suns stand ready to combat that attack, having allowed the sixth lowest opponent 3-point percentage in the league even since Ayton went out. Their makeshift team still resembles a fortified one, capable of beating the Jazz and covering their spread.
Final: Phoenix Suns 120, Utah Jazz 100
Phoenix Suns Up Next
As mentioned earlier, the Suns and Jazz will run this one back on Wednesday night, that time on Utah’s home floor instead. With a few more days to heal up, hopefully both teams get a few key guys return.
The last time these two squads faced off with their big threes fully intact, the game grew incredibly entertaining down the stretch, even going into overtime where Phoenix won by four points. In this latter game, we surely want to get something along those lines.