The Phoenix Suns will host the Utah Jazz in what could be a sneak peek of the Western Conference Finals. In the latest meeting between these two sides on April 7th, the Phoenix Suns came out on top in a 117 – 113 overtime victory. Since then, both teams have now clinched playoff berths but will now be fighting hard to earn the number one seed in the conference.

The Suns sit just one game back with a 44-18 record and look to complete the season sweep against their northern rivals. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz will be looking to continue building the confidence of their key role-players as they will yet again be without Donavan Mitchell and Mike Conley.

Will the Suns be able to move into first place in the Western Conference? Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Jazz-Suns odds.

NBA Odds: Jazz – Suns Odds

Utah Jazz +4 (-115)

Phoenix Suns -4 (-105)

Over 218.5 Points (-110)

Under 218.5 Points (-110)

Why the Jazz Could Cover The Spread
Jazz, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, Jordan Clarkson

The Jazz will be looking to carry over their recent impeccable shooting into their game against the Suns. Quinn Synder and his men earned a nearly comical victory over the Sacramento Kings in their latest matchup. They scored a franchise-record 154 points on 64% from the field and 59% from behind the arch during the 49 points win.

The victory improved them to a 3-3 straight-up record and an equivalent 3-3 record against the spread since they lost Donavan Mitchell to an ankle injury on April 16th.

A big part of the Utah Jazz success this season has been due to the strength of their second unit. We know what to expect out of Jordan Clarkson, who is leading all bench players with 17.5 points a game, but the recent emergence of Bojan Bogdanovic has been a silver lining with the Mitchell injury.

Before Mitchell went down, Bogdanovic was averaging 15 points on 30% from three. However, in his last six-game, he is averaging 19 points on 33% from downtown.

However, the Jazz are still relying on Rudy Gobert for most of their production on the offensive and defensive end, and if you are to find one flaw in the Phoenix Suns this season, it is their ability to defend around the rim. According to cleaningtheglass.com, the Suns allow teams to score 64.8% of their attempts from four feet of the rim.

This will allow Gobert to earn easy looks in the paint, or if Monty Williams gameplans to double him, then the Frenchmen will be able to dish it out to his teammates on the perimeter.

The two-time All-Star's proficiency is the key if the Utah Jazz are to earn their first win against the Phoneix Suns this year and head into the playoffs confident about this matchup.

Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread

Suns, Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton

The Phoenix Suns are scorching hot. They have won 15 of their last 19 games, including impressive victories over the Sixers, Bucks, Heat, Jazz, and Clippers. During that same stretch, they have gone 9-19 against the spread.

This run has earned the Suns their first playoff birth since the 2009-10 NBA season and improved them to 24 – 9 against teams above.500, via ESPN Stats:

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The story of the Suns this season has been Chris Paul. He continues to go against father-time and has a legitimate argument to be a part of the MVP race. In five of the last six games, the 35-year-old has scored 20 or more points on 58% shooting.

Offensively, will score easily due to Chris Paul's current form and Devin Booker always being a threat to score 50. For Monty Williams and his men to earn the number one seed, they will need to shut down the role players of the Utah Jazz. The Suns can live with a big night from Gobert, but they will need to contain players like Jordan Clarkson and Bogdanovic.

Expect the Phoenix Suns to run the offense through Paul as they have all season and allow him to direct the Jazz defense. If the 11-time All-star is feeling it, this one could be a lot more than -4.

Final Jazz-Suns Prediction & Pick

Considering that the Utah Jazz are missing two of their key players, the Suns will likely move to number one in the Western Conference. The Suns' main goal at this point of the season will be to finish the top seed in the Western Conference, while the Utah Jazz main goal will be to make sure they do not suffer any more injuries to key players.

Monty Williams and his men will cover the small spread but expect it to finish under the total line, as both teams will focus on defending the perimeter.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION & PICK FOR JAZZ-SUNS: UTA 104, PHX 112  (PHX-4)