Every game down the stretch of the 2022-23 season is crucial for the Phoenix Suns if they want to hold on to the No. 4 seed in the West.
The Utah Jazz are up next for Phoenix on Monday, and the Jazz are in danger of falling out of the play-in tournament race in the West.
Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson are both out for the Jazz, while Lauri Markkanen is questionable after missing the last few games.
The Suns are expected to get Deandre Ayton (probable) back tonight, which should be a major boost to the team’s offense.
Can the Suns break Utah’s impressive record as a home underdog this season?
Suns vs. Jazz odds, spread and total
Suns vs. Jazz prediction and pick
The Jazz have been one of the best teams in the NBA against the spread as a home underdog, going 10-2 ATS, but they failed to cover in their last game in that spot against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Utah is now the No. 12 seed in the West, and I have to wonder how much this team is trying to win, especially since Clarkson, Sexton and Markkanen are all banged up.
Phoenix had an impressive 20-point win over the Philadelphia 76ers in its last game, and Ayton’s return should give the team an added boost tonight.
Over the last 10 games, Utah is 27th in the league in defensive rating and 17th in offensive rating while Phoenix is eighth in the NBA in offensive rating.
The Suns should be able to get whatever they want against this depleted Jazz lineup, and if Markkanen sits again, I don’t see Utah having the offense to keep up.
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