Game Thread: Utah Jazz will face road challenge against red-hot Phoenix Suns

Normally considered a pushover opponent, the Phoenix Suns are off to a red-hot start and could provide a daunting challenge for the Utah Jazz.

The Utah Jazz looked like a completely different team on Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings than they did on Friday in Los Angeles. Their defense remained solid, and this time their offense finally showed out in full force, thanks largely to the return of Bojan Bogdanovic, the efficiency of Donovan Mitchell and the improvement of Mike Conley.

If that contest was foreshadowing of things to come, then the Jazz could very well be in great shape with an elite squad on both ends of the floor.

However, they’re bound to be tested in their fourth game of the season as they’ll head south to take on the Phoenix Suns on Monday evening. And, yes, you heard me correctly in that sentence. Although the Suns have been known as a pushover opponent in recent seasons, they’re off to an electrifying start in 2019-20.

First, they annihilated the Sacramento Kings in their first game of the season before narrowly losing to the Denver Nuggets on the road in overtime in game two. In their third contest they outdid both of those performances by toppling Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers, a team that had looked nigh indomitable up to that point.

Even more impressive, that 130-122 win over the Clippers came with both Ricky Rubio (left knee contusion) and Deandre Ayton (suspension) out of action. Sure, Paul George remains out for the Clippers as well, but considering how great LA had looked in their first two games, it was still a surprising result. The contest saw the likes of Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre step up substantially, and the Jazz will have to watch out for both players in their upcoming bout.

Time will tell if the Suns’ hot start is real or a mere fluke, as well as if the Jazz’s play against Los Angeles or Sacramento is more indicative of who they really are. Monday’s bout should go a long way in revealing more about both teams.

Game Data

Broadcast Info

Tip-off: 8 PM MT on October 28 from Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: The Zone Sports Network (97.5 FM & 1280 AM Salt Lake City)

Projected Starting Lineups

If Ricky Rubio remains sidelined as he was against the Clippers, then expect Jevon Carter to get the start at point guard once again. However, considering he was out merely for a contusion, I’d expect a speedy recovery. Factor in as well that this will be his first chance to take on his old team – one that spurned him for an older point guard in Mike Conley – and I have a feeling he’ll be itching to get back out on the court and compete. I could be wrong, but I’m predicting Rubio will play.

Ayton will also be out as he serves a suspension for breaking the NBA’s anti-drug policy, though he’s reportedly working to lessen the length of the suspension.

Injuries

After an incredible showing against the Kings, Bojan Bogdanovic is no longer on the injury report and should be good to go on Monday, meaning that Dante Exum who continues to recover from knee surgery, is the only Jazzman unavailable.

Meanwhile, not only is Rubio’s status up in the air for Monday, but rookie Ty Jerome remains sidelined indefinitely with an ankle sprain.

Prediction

This one is going to be a battle as both teams are looking to prove that the positives they’ve shown so far this season are no fluke. Devin Booker will be highly motivated to silence those favoring Mitchell in the debate between the two players, and Rubio (assuming he plays) will want to show the Jazz just what they passed on. Factor in as well that this bout is on the road for Utah and we’re still in the confusing early season slate, and it’s difficult to predict what will happen.

Nevertheless, I’m confident that the Suns will struggle against Utah’s defense, and that the Jazz will have their way with a still young and developing Phoenix team, especially with no Ayton and possibly no Rubio in action. The Jazz starters didn’t have to take on a heavy load in a blowout win on Saturday, and should be fresh with a day in between before taking on the Suns.

Therefore, I’m predicting the Jazz will win by a score of 108-101.

Our friends over at The Action Network likewise see this as a close bout, pitting the Jazz as 4-point favorites. That’s pretty close in line with what I suspected, but I’m still sticking with a 7-point Jazz win.

Discussion

#UTAatPHX will be the Twitter hashtag for the game. Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter as well as in the comments on this game thread below!