There was a time this season when Utah Jazz fans owed the basketball gods a debt. They’d enjoyed outstanding health and a relatively soft schedule.
These days, they may be looking to recoup that debt. When the schedule got easiest, the injury bug struck the Jazz hard. Entering into the most difficult part of their season’s schedule, it has not relented.
The Jazz will continue to deal with Donovan Mitchell’s absence. Last night, the Jazz (30-17) suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Golden State Warriors. Sadly, they lost more than just a game. Both Rudy Gobert and Bojan Bogdanovic suffered injuries in that contest as well.
That won’t make a game with the Phoenix Suns easy. The Suns (36-9) hold the best record in the National Basketball Association.
Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns Odds Tonight
According to WynnBet, the Suns are 9.5 point favorites in this contest, and -425 point favorites on the money line. The Jazz are +325 money line underdogs.
The over/under is presently set at 222.5 points.
Utah Jazz Starting Lineup
With a rash of injuries to deal with, Quin Snyder should look to a lineup featuring Mike Conley, Joe Ingles, Royce O’Neale, Rudy Gay and Eric Paschall tonight.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
The Jazz’s injury report for this game is pretty gruesome. Donovan Mitchell (concussion protocols) remains out. Rudy Gobert (calf strain) and Bojan Bogdanovic (knee bruise) are both sporting new ailments. Hassan Whiteside (concussion protocol) will also be absent.
The Jazz may need a miracle against the league-best Suns.
Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns Prediction
If you’ve read this far, it’s probably pretty obvious how this is going to go.
The Suns will be missing some key rotation players. Star big man Deandre Ayton and former Utah Jazz favorite Jae Crowder will both be absent. Nonetheless, their star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker remains in tact.
With neither Gobert or Whiteside available, the Suns will look to control the interior with Javale McGee in the middle. If Utah’s small-ball formation flummoxes the Suns, they’ve got the versatility to counter. Cam Johnson can move up to the 5 as easily as Mikal Bridges can move up to the 4.
All of which are secondary considerations. The Suns will have star players tonight, and the Jazz will not. Look for Phoenix to make short work of a depleted Jazz group tonight.
Prediction: Suns 121, Jazz 107
Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns TV Channel
Local fans in Phoenix can catch this game on Fox Sports Arizona, while fans in Utah should tune into AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Utah Jazz Schedule and Next Game
Go ahead and bookmark this article if you’d like. The Jazz’s next game comes against the Phoenix Suns on January 26.
After that, they square off with the Grizzlies on January 28. They’ve got the Minnesota Timberwolves on the 30th. They kick off February with a contest against the Denver Nuggets on the 2nd, and face the Brooklyn Nets on the 4th.