NBA Odds: Phoenix Suns vs Utah Jazz Preview & Pick
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The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz have enjoyed a very close series over their past 10 meetings, though the Suns have had an edge more recently. With the Jazz struggling right now, can Phoenix extend its winning streak?
Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz
Date: Friday, February 11, 10:30 p.m. ET
Venue: EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Broadcast: ESPN, My45
Suns vs. Jazz lines from Bodog.com
Suns: +6
Jazz: -6
Total: 208
Check Out Our Indepth NBA ATS Betting Stats For This Game —>
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*Stats do not include Phoenix’s Thursday night game with Golden State
Utah (31-23, 24-28-1 ATS) continues oscillating between wins and losses. The Jazz have flipped between victory and defeat in nine consecutive games, both straight up and against the spread. The glaring streak of mediocrity comes on the heels of a six-game losing skid, so there hasn’t been much to get excited about in Utah for a long time.
The Jazz failed to muster much offense in Wednesday’s 91-86 loss to the Bulls. Deron Williams is battling a wrist injury, and though he dished out 12 assists against Chicago, he finished with just 11 points. He also had five turnovers. Williams’ counterpart, Derrick Rose, torched Utah for 29 points, seven assists and just one turnover.
But while it is easy to blame Williams, the bench certainly deserves a heap of credit for the loss. Utah’s reserves managed just five points against Chicago. Obviously, a much better effort than that is expected of the bench.
Although the Jazz are struggling, there are a few positives—namely, the play of Al Jefferson. Jefferson has racked up at least 20 points in six consecutive games, averaging 23.2 points per game in that span. He scored 26 points in the loss to Chicago.
Phoenix (24-25, 22-26-1 ATS) is enjoying a nice little surge. The suns have won four of their past five games, including a 104-92 win over Golden State on Monday. Heading into a rematch with the Warriors on Thursday, the Suns had gone 4-1 ATS in their last four games.
Seeing the Suns string a few wins together isn’t exactly strange. What is strange is the team is doing it with some very respectable defense. In its last four wins, Phoenix has held its opponents to just 85.5 points per game, miles better than its season average of 106.1. If the Suns can keep that going, they actually have a legitimate shot at the playoffs.
It would also help if the team could get some consistency from Vince Carter, though counting on Carter for consistency is usually a losing proposition. Just one game after lighting up Oklahoma City for 33 points, Carter went 3-12 for 10 points against Golden State. In fact, here are Carter’s point totals over his last six outings: 22, 17, 12, 2, 33 and 10. The Suns never know who’s going to show up.
These clubs share a very tight series, splitting their past 10 games both straight up and against the spread. Phoenix has the upper hand, though, having won three straight meetings—and covering each of them. Largely thanks to an ailing wrist, Deron Williams already lost an elite point guard battle to Derrick Rose. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the same thing happen with Steve Nash on Friday. Take the Suns.
Trends:
Under is 7-2 in PHO last 9 Fri. games.
Under is 8-3 in PHO last 11 overall.
UTA are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games.
UTA are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Pacific.
UTA are 6-16 ATS in their last 22 games overall.
Road team is 14-6 ATS in the last 20 meetings.
Underdog is 19-9 ATS in the last 28 meetings.
Phoenix at Utah pick: Suns
Ian Van Den Hurk has covered amateur and pro sports for years, including a successful run handicapping anything from football to mixed martial arts.
