Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz Prediction, NBA Odds
Hobbled by injuries, the Suns are coming off a 113-109 loss in Wednesday’s road date with the LA Clippers, but maintain an NBA-best 31-9 away record. The Jazz are coming off a dominating 137-101 win over Oklahoma City, and ride a five-game win streak on home hardwood.
With little to play for after clinching the top of the NBA league standings, the Suns arrive in Utah pegged as 2.5-point underdogs. Backed by 59 per cent of sports bettors, the Jazz are listed as -140 moneyline favourites to win on the NBA odds. The total has been on the rise since opening at 226.5, climbing to 228, with 77 per cent of bets placed on the OVER.
Suns vs. Jazz NBA Betting Odds
Friday night’s matchup at Vivint Arena marks the fourth and final regular season meeting between these clubs. The Suns have largely dominated in recent dates with Utah, winning outright in six straight before dropping a 118-114 decision when the Jazz visited the desert on Feb. 27. The OVER has paid out in five of seven head-to-head clashes, with the total reaching 230 on four occasions over that stretch. In addition, home teams have struggled when these squads meet, falling to defeat in their past two matchups, and in six of nine overall.
The Suns have experienced somewhat of a letdown since clinching the top of the standings, losing three of four overall, with each of those defeats coming on the road. Phoenix has surrendered over 117 points per game during its current road swoon, and 120 or more points three times over their past seven road contests. The club has also failed to keep pace of late, tallying an average of just 106.5 points in their past four on the road, fuelling a 3-1-0 run for the UNDER. The Jazz have enjoyed plenty of home cooking, going 14-1 straight up and 9-4-2 against the spread since the beginning of February. A red-hot Jazz offence has averaged 125.2 points per game during their current 5-0 run at home. However, they have covered just twice while going 3-3 in six home dates while favoured by three or fewer points.
Phoenix Suns
After missing two of the Suns’ past three road contests due to a back injury, Devin Booker is expected to return to the lineup on Friday night. The 25-year-old dominated in his two April appearances to date, averaging 36.5 points, and has racked up 34.5 points per game over his past seven road appearances. Booker was joined on the sidelines for Wednesday’s loss to LA by Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, and Jae Crowder. The trio are all expected to return on Friday, but could enjoy limited playing time.
Utah Jazz
Leading scorer Donovan Mitchell enjoyed a night off in Wednesday’s rout of the Thunder, but is expected back for Friday’s contest. Mitchell has remained the club’s most consistent producer, averaging 28.6 points over his past 11 outings. Hassan Whiteside has steadily regained form since returning from injury. The big man has recorded double-doubles in each of his past two outings while averaging just 18 minutes of playing time in those contests.
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