Phoenix Suns (12-11) vs. Utah Jazz (5-18)
December 13, 2024 9:30 pm EDT
The Line: Utah Jazz +7.5; Over/Under: +228.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Phoenix Suns invade the Delta Center to do battle with the Utah Jazz on Friday night. Here’s a Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns Prediction. This article will include a Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns Pick.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have been doing it tough as they’ve lost four of their last six games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a three-game skid after getting beaten by the Magic in a 115-110 road defeat on Sunday. Devin Booker led the team with 25 points, seven assists, and four steals, Tyus Jones added 21 points with six assists while Bradley Beal chipped in with 18 points and two blocks.
As a team, the Suns shot 47 percent from the field and 13 of 28 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 34 points in the first quarter to lead until the fourth quarter where the Magic went on a pivotal 12-3 run to slip away in the end. The Suns will meet the Trail Blazers after this game.
Utah Jazz
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have been in a terrible slump as they’ve lost 10 of their last 12 games overall and they will be hoping for a better effort after getting smashed by the Kings in a 141-97 road defeat on Sunday. Keyonte George led the team with 25 points with six assists and four steals, John Collins added 19 points while Collin Sexton chipped in with 15 points but no other player finished in double figures in scoring.
As a team, the Jazz shot just 38 percent from the field and 15 of 42 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace from the start and trailed by 17 points going into halftime before they got completely blown out by 79-52 in the second half to suffer their worst defeat of the season. The Jazz will face the Clippers following this one.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last 12 home games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Suns have won each of their last 11 games as favorites against the Jazz.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home games against Suns teams that held a winning record.
- The Suns have covered the spread in each of their last five games as favorites against the Jazz following a loss.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the last five games between the Suns and Jazz has gone OVER the total points line.
- Thirteen of the Suns’ last 15 games as road favorites following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- John Collins ranks T1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (92.2%) this season.
- Walker Kessler ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (3.0) this season.
Phoenix Suns Player Facts
- Tyus Jones ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (6.5) this season.
- Devin Booker ranks 3rd in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (90.4%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for turnovers per game this season (18.4).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (12.0).
- The Suns rank 30th for points in the paint (942) this season.
- The Suns rank 28th in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (12.8).
Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns Prediction
The Suns are still shorthanded with Collin Gillespie and Jalen Bridges still out, but they are expecting to have Kevin Durant back in the lineup, while the Jazz are keeping an eye on Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson who are both questionable. The Suns struggle mightily when they don’t have their three best players on the court, but with Durant expected to make his return, I am looking at the Suns to make light work of the struggling Jazz who could be missing their two best players once again.
