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Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns preview: Jazz aim to make it 11 in a row

By Jared Woodcox

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 2: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Utah Jazz on February 2, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 2: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Utah Jazz on February 2, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz will look to keep their incredible winning streak alive as they host the Phoenix Suns in their final game before the All-Star break.

The Utah Jazz just continue to light it up as they overcame a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to topple the San Antonio Spurs in improbable fashion on Monday night to earn their tenth straight win. It was an incredible victory that showed just how resilient this Jazz team is even when the cards are stacked against them.

And they’ll have an excellent opportunity to extend the streak further on Wednesday night as they’ll be at home once again, this time against the hapless Phoenix Suns who are currently second to last in the Western Conference at 18-40, are just 9-19 on the road and have lost six games in a row. The last time these two teams faced off, the Jazz pulled off an astounding 32-point victory as they simply dominated the Suns in every facet of the game including with a 40-point outpouring from Donovan Mitchell.

Utah held Phoenix to just 41.4 percent shooting from the field and 27.3 percent from deep while shooting 56.7 percent from the field and 51.7 percent themselves. That astounding discrepancy perfectly tells the story of the blowout win. It also highlights just how horrible the Suns’ defense has been this year – they’re dead last in the league in opponent points per game and defensive rating.

Add to that the fact that Phoenix’s leading scorer Devin Booker has missed the past two contests and may very well be out of commission once again on Wednesday, and all indications are that this should be an easy win for the Jazz. The Suns are bad enough when they’re at full strength, throw in an injury to their most prolific offensive threat while they’ve been slumping as a team and their chances are looking pretty dismal. Especially considering how hot the Jazz have been of late.

Still, Utah can’t get complacent. Coming off an emotional win over the Spurs after winning ten in a row and with the All-Star break in sight, it could be very easy to simply overlook the visiting Suns. However,the Jazz have built their current win streak by being locked in and focused game in and game out, so it’s vital that they continue that trend once again to enter the break on the highest of notes possible.

Particularly if Booker is indeed sidelined once again for Wednesday’s contest, the player that the Jazz will most need to keep their eyes on is Elfrid Payton. Although he’s winless as a member of the Phoenix Suns, he’s still played exceptionally well since being traded from the Orlando Magic. In two contests, Payton is averaging 24 points on 61.3 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from deep while adding seven assists.

That kind of production likely isn’t sustainable, but there’s no denying that Payton has been absolutely on fire, and the Jazz will have to make it an area of focus to lock him down. The match-up between Payton and Donovan Mitchell, with the help of fellow lock-down defender Royce O’Neale, will be a fun one to watch, especially if Ricky Rubio is sidelined for the Jazz once again, which seems quite likely as he’s currently listed as questionable.

However, even if Payton goes off or Booker does end up suiting up, this Suns team simply doesn’t have the firepower or defensive prowess to truly be a threat, especially on Utah’s home court. Considering how both teams have been playing coming into the game, if the Jazz were to lose, it would be a major upset.

Luckily, I simply don’t see that happening. Instead, I expect Utah to earn their 11th straight win in dominant fashion and pull ever closer to securing a playoff spot.

Prediction – Utah 120, Phoenix 102

Next: Utah Jazz rookie roundup 2/13: Should the NBA consider a shared ROTY award?

Utah and Phoenix tip-off on Wednesday night at 7:00 PM MT at Vivint Smart Home Arena. From there, they’ll have eight days off for the All-Star break before they resume play at home against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 23rd.

Fortunately, Utah Jazz fans will have plenty to look forward to over the break as rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell will participate in both the Rising Stars game and the Dunk Contest on February 16th and 17th, respectively.

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