For the second time in a week, the Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns are set to meet this Sunday. The Jazz are trying to find their way out of a slump, while the Suns are looking to keep their winning streak alive and avenge their loss to Utah last week. Read on for more about this Jazz vs. Suns matchup.
Catch this game live on Sunday, November 27, at 10 AM, Manila time
Away: Utah Jazz (12-9/6-7 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Collin Sexton
- SG: Jordan Clarkson
- SF: Lauri Markkanen
- PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
- C: Kelly Olynyk
For the second time this season, the Jazz have gone on a three-game losing skid after absorbing a 129-118 road loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The Warriors’ offense was simply too much for Utah to keep up. That’s not to say that the Jazz have a tame offense, though. After all, the Jazz walked into that contest ranked fourth in the NBA with 117.4 points per game.
Utah can always give opposing defenses headaches, as they’ve scorers from top to bottom of their starting unit, led by Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson. Those two combined for 58 points in Utah’s 134-133 home win over the Suns on Nov. 19. Markkanen’s outside touch is a tough defensive challenge for Deandre Ayton. Utah shot 56 FG% and 51.6 3FG% (16/31) in the win over Phoenix. The Jazz are 5-3 against the spread in their last eight visits to Phoenix, dating back to 2018.
Home: Phoenix Suns (12-6/10-1 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Cameron Payne
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Torrey Craig
- C: Deandre Ayton
Since their loss to Utah, the Suns have gone 3-0 straight up. Unlike the Jazz, Phoenix won its assignment Saturday, taking down the Detroit Pistons at home, 108-102. The Suns’ defense has woken up after that defeat at the hands of Utah, as they have allowed no more than 105 points in any of their game since. None of the Suns’ opponents have also shot better than 42.4 FG% in that span.
Phoenix’s defense will be put to the test anew by the Jazz, but in case this game turns out to be an offensive duel again, the Suns will be ready – especially Devin Booker, who went off with 49 points in the loss to Utah. Given how teams have abused the Jazz’s defense of late, Booker and the Suns might have another fun night scoring at home. Utah has allowed 125.0 points on average in their last three games, and none of those needed overtime. The Suns are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 meetings with Utah.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Suns (-7) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total (230) hits the Over.
