Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 11/26/2022

Time: 9 p.m. ET

Venue: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

Where to watch: BSAZ, ATTSN-RM

DraftKings: Suns -7

FanDuel: Suns -7

BetMGM: Suns -6.5

Caesars: Suns -7

Jazz: 12-9

Suns: 12-6

Jazz: lost 125-116 vs. Pistons

Suns: won 115-105 vs. Lakers

It still boggles my mind that we are one week from December and we're talking about the Utah Jazz being one of the top teams in the Western Conference. It truly is remarkable because normally when we see a start like this it happens for the first month and then it fizzles out. Utah has been in this position for two months now and they are still finding ways to win games. Now, the jazz have lost consecutive games this week with a seven point loss to the Clippers followed by a nine point loss to the Detroit Pistons at home. If there was any game to give any scared remarks as to them falling off the Cliff it would be that game against Detroit.

So come to think of it, this game against the Phoenix Suns set for Saturday is the perfect opportunity to see if Utah can actually maintain what's going on as well as finding that adversity and breaking through it. Because all good teams go through this. They'll have long winning streaks and normally things will start to feel very good about themselves. But then everything goes haywire the moment they start losing a couple games here and there. Utah had to kind of overcome that when they lost to the New York Knicks on November 15th 118-111. How did the Knicks respond? They beat these sons by 1.3 nights later.

And right now when you're trying to figure out the benchmark of the NBA you look at the Suns and how well they played over the last number of years and then you wonder if this team is good enough to actually make it back to the NBA Finals, with that talent they should. But given the fact that Chris Paul has been dealing with a heel injury and is not going to be playing in this game, phoenix has needed by committee a group of point guards to at least control the table.

The one thing you'll notice about the Suns compared to the Lakers for this game, the Lakers were without LeBron James and the entire onus of playing competent basketball rested on the shoulders of Anthony Davis. With phoenix whether you have one or two stars or however many out, they still find a way to put that balance together. You look at phoenix and their entire starting lineup with the exception of Torrey Craig was in double figures. Mikal Bridges and Devin Booker both had 25 points, Booker actually shot the ball way worse, and the sons carried on with their balanced attack and their defense and was able to pull out this victory from the pesky Lakers.

That's a huge challenge when you compare it to the jazz, who are just trying to stay afloat really. Mike Conley is out right now due to injury so it's been by committee as it pertains to the point guard position. Jordan Clarkson had another strong game with 24 points on 9 of 17 shooting, and Collin Sexton had 17 points and 12 assists for what was considered a fairly good day for the back court. Utah's best player to start the season though however, has been Lauri Markkanen. the formerly much maligned sharpshooter has finally turned into a All Star caliber player for Utah. However, after just 13 points on four of 13 shooting, it was Markkanen’s worst day.

he hasn't had a bad game shooting wise just yet, so he was due for a clunker. I'd like to think that he would absolutely without question get you to our back on track against the phoenix team that I have a very tough time believing right now.

There aren't many people who can say that they would be able to lock up Utah's guards in this game. I would like to think that the Suns can get this figured out and go forward with being a very inconsistent team. I think Phoenix gets this one done. Suns by 5

Jazz are 11-3 ATS as an underdog this season.

Suns are 117-86 ATS the last three seasons.

Suns are 59-39 ATS as a home favorite the last three seasons

PG: Jordan Clarkson

SG: Collin Sexton

SF: Lauri Markkanen

PF: Jarred Vanderbilt

C: Kelly Olynyk

PG: Cam Payne

SG: Devin Booker

SF: Mikal Bridges

PF: Torrey Craig

C: Deandre Ayton