The Phoenix Suns travel to Utah for their fifth matchup of the season to close out the year against the Jazz. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Suns-Jazz prediction and pick.
The Suns stand at 3-1, coming off an impressive victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Jazz hold a record of 2-1, most recently triumphing over the Oklahoma City Thunder by one point.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening odds for the Western Conference showdown.
NBA Odds: Suns-Jazz Odds
Phoenix Suns +4 (-110)
Utah Jazz -4 (-110)
Over 220.5 PTS (-115)
Under 220.5 PTS (-105)
Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread
The Phoenix Suns are one of the hottest teams in the game. The team has already notched eye-opening victories, specifically an opening night win over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks as well as an absolute thumping of the New Orleans Pelicans that was so out of hand, TNT stopped showing the game.
What's most impressive about this team is the fact that its star players haven't even hit their stride yet.
Devin Booker is averaging a mere 19.0 points and shooting 30.8% from deep, way down from last year's marks of 26.6 points and 35.4% from three.
Chris Paul, the Suns' star offseason acquisition, is scoring just under 12 points a game and shooting a shocking 25% from beyond the arc.
But the Suns are 3-1. How is this possible?
For one, Mikal Bridges has emerged as a Most Improved Player candidate. The red-hot forward is chipping in 15.5 points a game, a career high, and playing some excellent perimeter defense.
The team's defense has improved overall as well.
Through four games, Phoenix has allowed the fewest points in the league. On opening day, they held the Mavericks to 102. As a reminder, the Mavs set the record for highest offensive rating in NBA history last year.
The Jazz offense isn't bad, but it isn't exactly electric at the moment. If the Suns can continue their defensive dominance, it'll be a long night for Donovan Mitchell and company.
Why The Jazz Could Cover The Spread
While Phoenix's defense is leading the league early on, Utah's defense isn't too shabby itself.
They currently rank 7th in opponent points allowed, anchored by Rudy Gobert in the middle.
To give the Jazz defense a little more credence, this team has been putting up numbers like this for years with similar personnel.
Since 2017-18, the Jazz have ranked as a top-ten defensive team in keeping opponents off the board.
At the point we're at in the season, this is a strength-against-strength matchup, and the Jazz have more credibility because of their large sample size. The trick for the Jazz here will be breaking the so far stingy Suns defense.
Like Booker, Donovan Mitchell's stats are down at the very start of the season. Utah's star scorer has yet to break 21 points on the season, and he can't seem to get in a groove on the offensive end.
The Jazz badly need a scorer to step up tonight, and they will turn to Mitchell. He's due for a breakout, and Utah is hoping that happens today.
If Mitchell can break 30 points in a game that should be fairly low-scoring, the Jazz can cover the small spread.
Final Suns-Jazz Prediction & Pick
From what I've seen this season, the Suns are very umpressive and I was surprised they were underdogs here. I think the Suns will take a leap this season, and winning games like these is key to taking that step. I predict the Suns continue their defensive run, and not only cover, but win outright in Salt Lake City.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: PHX 109, UTA 104
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