10/6 Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns: Keys to the Game

Key #2 – Contain the Phoenix Backcourt

In the Suns’ first game of preseason action, they overcame a 24-point deficit to top the Portland Trail Blazers by a score of 114-112. While any comeback of that nature is impressive, that win was a bit misleading given how few minutes all of Portland’s starters and most of Phoenix’s starters actually logged, but such is the nature of preseason.

Yet in the short amount of time that the Suns’ starters were in the game, their prolific backcourt duo of Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker already showed a great deal of what they are capable of. In just over 30 combined minutes (Bledsoe played just eight and a half), the two combined for 28 points while dishing out eight assists.

Bledsoe shot a highly efficient 3-of-4 from the field whereas Booker wasn’t nearly as efficient (he shot just 4-of-12), but was able to convert on all nine of his free throw attempts as he relentlessly attacked the rim and drew fouls as a result. Although this pair isn’t exactly the most frightening backcourt in the West, they’re both very good and if they’re allowed to build any sort of momentum, they have the ability to get hot and run opponents out of the building.

And that’s precisely what the Jazz have to prevent from happening. Granted, it’s quite likely that the Suns won’t play either of them for all that many minutes, but when they’re in the game, it will be absolutely crucial to see guys like Ricky Rubio, Rodney Hood, Dante Exum and Donovan Mitchell step it up against a young and athletic Suns backcourt that will serve as an excellent measuring stick for the Jazz and that could do some serious damage if left unchecked.

Last of all, while he’s not exactly part of the backcourt at the small forward position, T.J. Warren played extremely well in the Suns’ first preseason game as he put in a team-high 24 points on the night on 9-of-15 shooting. Warren recently received a solid four-year $50 million extension which some believe would be near the ballpark that a guy like Rodney Hood could receive if he were to extend.

Therefore, it will also be intriguing to see how Warren and Hood match up in this early season bout as we all attempt to determine who truly deserves what kind of pay day in their young NBA careers. Warren is a phenomenal player, but it would be great to see Hood rise to the occasion and outshine him in the upcoming contest.