Both Phoenix and Utah have played in a number of important games down the stretch with each team attempting to secure a spot in the NBA Playoffs, but suffice it to say that none of those contests were as big as tonight’s meeting between the two Western Conference rivals. The Suns and Jazz, who are just a game apart in the chase to secure the last Western Conference playoff spot, are scheduled to tip off at 10:30pm ET at the EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City; the game will be broadcast live on TNT. NBA Odds have the hosting Jazz listed as a -3.5 against the spread favorite and the Over/Under set at 204.5 points.
On one hand Phoenix might be disturbed by its recent inability to string together wins; however, if the team’s recent track record holds true, it is scheduled for a win tonight. The Suns, who have alternated wins and losses in their last eight games, fell 107-118 at home to the Nuggets on Saturday night.
Phoenix defense played horribly in the setback as Denver, which locked up a playoff berth with the win, shot 55.2 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc. The Nuggets also aided their cause with a 16-for-17 effort from the charity stripe.
The Suns were solid from downtown, connecting on 11-of-26 from three point range, but only three Phoenix players scored in double figures and they turned the ball over 17 times to the Nuggets nine.
Utah has been far more consistent of late, winning three in a row and five of its last seven to take control of the final Western Conference playoff spot. The Jazz, now 34-30 overall, needed overtime for the second time in their last three games on Saturday, though, but they prevailed 117-107 over Orlando nonetheless.
Utah, which shot 53.4 percent in the win, had five players score in double figures. Big men Derrick Favors and Al Jefferson both posted double-doubles against the Magic, Favors going for 16 points and 11 rebounds while Jefferson tallied 21 points and 10 boards.
Unfortunately for the Jazz, the Suns, for all their inconsistencies, have dominated this series for the better part of three years. Phoenix has won seven in a row against Utah and is 4-0 in its last four games at the EnergySolutions Arena, beating Utah by an average of 11 points per contest.
NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Suns are 8-2 both straight up and against the spread in their last 10 games as a road dog with a spread between 0 and 3.5.
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2012 NBA Odds Phoenix Suns vs Utah Jazz: Provided by TopBet.com
Phoenix Suns +3.5 (-110), Over 204.5 (-110)
Utah Jazz -3.5 (-110), Under 204.5 (-110)
