Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns react: Utah takes hot streak into All-Star break

The Utah Jazz used yet another big fourth quarter to defeat the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night and earn their 11th straight victory.

It’s been improbable, unfathomable, unforeseeable. And absolutely amazing.

Yes, with Wednesday night’s 107-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns, the Utah Jazz have now made it 11 straight wins, improving their record to 30-28 heading into the All-Star break. With how phenomenally this team has played for the last three and a half weeks, it’s almost hard to believe that they were nine games under .500 less than a month ago.

And while Wednesday’s win was against a middling Phoenix Suns team and was undoubtedly a little too close for comfort for Jazz fans, that doesn’t change the fact that it was a good win. Riding a 10-game winning streak after an emotional win on Monday while the All-Star break was knocking on the door, this contest had all the feel of a potential trap game. However, the Jazz powered through, maintained their focus and came out on top to keep their streak alive heading into the break.

But it wasn’t easy. The contest was a seesaw affair that featured 12 lead changes. The Jazz got up by 10 at one point in the first quarter and that would be their biggest lead until they would match it in the final period of play. Phoenix took the lead by a point or two on a number of occasions, including early in the fourth quarter, as they fought the entire way.

However, when push came to shove, the Utah Jazz, who have been spectacular in the fourth quarter of late, came through once again. They outscored the Suns 35-26 in the final period and rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell was electric as he logged 10 of his 24 points in the fourth which included some mind-blowing plays down the stretch, such as the three-point dagger below that essentially sealed the game:

Donovan wasn’t the only one who had a big night, though, as Derrick Favors came up huge with 18 points on an incredibly efficient 7-of-9 (77.8 percent) outing while adding 12 rebounds. In every way, he looked like the Favors of old that led the Jazz in so many games during the 2015-16 season.

Fellow rookie Royce O’Neale was also sensational as he put up 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting (58.3 percent) from the field while going a perfect 3-of-3 from the behind the arc. O’Neale has had a significant impact on both ends of the floor every time he’s logged minutes and Wednesday’s contest was no exception.

Joe Ingles had a bit of an off shooting night (4-of-16 from the field, 3-of-9 from deep), but he still added four rebounds and six assists while tying with Rudy Gobert for a team-high plus/minus of +17. Gobert, meanwhile, was his usual defensive monster self while adding 14 points and 17 rebounds.

Finally, newcomer Jae Crowder had yet another solid outing as he added 15 points off the bench, his third straight game of 14 points or more in a Jazz uniform.

On the other end of the court, Phoenix was paced by Devin Booker with 28 points and Josh Jackson with 22 points, while Elfrid Payton, who had played well in his first two games with the Suns, was held to 13 points.

The Jazz will now enjoy eight days off before they get back at it again on February 23rd against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first game of a four-game, post-All-Star break home stand. In the meantime, Donovan Mitchell will compete in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday and the Dunk Contest on Saturday. Hopefully Mitchell will fare well, then he, along with his Jazz teammates, will be able to return energized after the break and go on to extend their streak from there.

Next: Utah Jazz notes: Stockton, Stars’ Braun join USA Basketball, Hot Rod doc

It will be a tough task as they’ll play the Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves right out of the gate. Nevertheless, with how they’ve been playing of late, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them compete blow for blow with all of those teams and potentially even keep their hot streak rolling.

Following the break, it’s bound to be an absolutely exhilarating conclusion to the 2017-18 season for Utah Jazz fans.