Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns Prediction: Utah needs to get it together

The NBA carnival is heading to its closing stages and we are in for another fun ride during the Postseason. The Postseason implies that the race to the title is closer and as usual, we have a bunch of candidates. However, for some teams, it is a matter of entering the Play-in tournament which is the prelude to the Playoffs. One of those candidates, the Utah Jazz will meet the Phoenix Suns here.

The Jazz enters the game after losing 113:121 against the Kings despite a 31 points and 11-rebound performance by Walker Kessler. The Jazz has lost three in a row and this has further derailed their season. Utah has compiled 39 losses and 35 wins which means that they are steadily going out of contention for the Play-n tournament. Jordan Clarkson’s injury alongside Colin Sexton’s injury has derailed the Point Guard position totally. The injury to Lauri Markkanen has derailed their season further as he is their leading scorer. The Jazz’s defense has been below-average but the current window has given a great opportunity to promising Center Walker Kessler, who has been amazing all season long.

The Suns come into this game after defeating the 76ers 125:105 on the heels of a superb 29 points effort by Devin Booker. This win broke a damning three-game losing streak and the Suns somehow still remain in the shot for a top-six spot in the Playoffs. The Suns acquired Kevin Durant in exchange for talented wings Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson but his injury and then Deandre Ayton’s injury dented their delicate two-way balance after the departure of Bridges and Johnson. Booker has been delivering and the team has been overly dependent upon him. The Suns’ production has been a far cry from last season when they won 60+ games and finished at the top of the West.

• Jazz: OUT: Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, Rudy Gay. QUESTIONABLE: Lauri Markkanen;
• Suns: OUT: Kevin Durant. PROBABLE: Deandre Ayton.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Devin Booker(30+ Points), Lauri Markkanen(24-31 Points)- QUES;
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Walker Kessler(10-12 Rebounds),Bismack Biyombo(10-12 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Chris Paul(8-11 Assists), Talen Horton-Tucker(6-9 Assists).

The Suns are likely to get back Ayton for this game which will improve their prospects and in a few days, Kevin Durant is also going to return. This is great news for the squad that has been needing depth. The Jazz has been in tatters ever since their Guard rotation was stifled. They traded Conley and Beasley so the onus was on Clarkson and Sexton, but they got injured. Anyway, I favor the Booker-led Suns to nab a win and predict a scoreline of 128:118 in their favor.