The Phoenix Suns (18-34) meet the Utah Jazz (22-28) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, February 2, 2018.
Utah is a 5.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 210 points.
Utah Jazz at Phoenix Suns ATS Prediction
The Jazz will be hoping for similar success after blowing out the Golden State Warriors in their last contest, 129-99. Utah’s 10.2 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Golden State, who had a mark of 16.8. The Jazz’s mark was better than their season average of 13.2. Utah was led by Ricky Rubio, who was the team’s high scorer with 23 points on 9-for-16 shooting.
The last time the Suns played, they were victorious over the Dallas Mavericks, 102-88. Phoenix had an effective field goal percentage of 0.548 (above their season average of 0.496). Dallas, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (10.8 vs. 15.9). With 15 points and 12 rebounds, Phoenix’s Marquese Chriss played well.
Conflicting paces will be on display in this battle. Phoenix has preferred to play fast (third in possessions per game), while Utah has been slower-paced (24th in possessions per game).
Utah comes into the contest with records of 22-28 straight up (SU) and 26-24 against the spread (ATS). Jazz games have gone under the projected point total 52.0 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Phoenix is 18-34 SU and 25-25-2 ATS. Just over half of Suns games have also finished under the total.
Derrick Favors has averaged 10.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals over the last five games for Utah.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, T.J. Warren scored a game-high 27 points and the Suns beat the Jazz 97-88, covering as 7.5-point underdogs. He also had five rebounds. The game finished with a total of 185 points, which was 19.5 points below the projected point total of 204.5 points. The Suns had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.2 vs. 15.2) and had a much better turnover percentage (13.8 vs. 21.4).
Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Utah is 11-15 ATS with 13 overs, 12 unders and 1 push.
At home, Phoenix is 10-15-1 ATS with 15 unders, 10 overs and 1 push.
When holding opponents below 100 points, Phoenix is 6-2 and Utah is 13-4.
When scoring over 100 points, the Jazz are 18-11 and the Suns are 14-21.
Utah averages 9.3 steals per game, which ranks second in the NBA. Phoenix ranks 29th in steals allowed per game (8.8).
The Jazz rank third in fast break points allowed per game (9.5) while the Suns rank 29th (14.6).
Utah ranks ninth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while Phoenix ranks 26th (5.3).
The Jazz average 17.2 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 10th in the league. The Suns rank 27th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.9).
Utah ranks fifth in second chance points allowed per game (11.2) while Phoenix ranks 21st (13.1).
The Suns rank 11th in rebounds per game (44.3) while the Jazz rank 25th (41.2).
Utah ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (20.6) while Phoenix ranks 11th (22.4).
The Jazz rank 21st in points in the paint per game (42.2) while the Suns rank 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.2).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Phoenix is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Jazz have outscored opponents by an average of 7.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Utah has been defeated by an average of 0.1 points.
During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 99.8 points per game (5.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 108.8 points per game (3.0 below their season average).
