As the NBA trade deadline has come and gone, the Phoenix Suns find themselves looking to revive a once-promising season with their star trio still in place. Hosting the Utah Jazz, a team that has shown tenacity despite recent struggles, presents an opportunity for Phoenix to regain some stability. The spotlight remains firmly on Kevin Durant, whose trade discussions have ceased, leaving him to continue his quest for scoring milestones with the Suns. Friday’s game against the Jazz will test whether Phoenix can turn the tide of their season, which has seen a concerning slide down the standings.
Match Info
- NBA
- Friday 7th February 22:00 EST / 03:00 GMT
- Footprint Center
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz, though facing a rough patch with only three wins in their last fifteen outings, are coming off a thrilling victory over the Golden State Warriors. Their recent performance showcased a resilient spirit, overturning an 11-point deficit in the final three minutes with a 20-6 run to secure a win. However, the Jazz will be without key scorer Jordan Clarkson due to a foot injury, and possibly Lauri Markkanen, who is nursing back soreness. Despite these setbacks, Utah’s latest acquisition, Dennis Schroder, although briefly part of the roster, indicates their active pursuit of backcourt stability, having moved him on to Detroit as part of a broader trade strategy.
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Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns, on the other hand, have seen their early season promise dim, winning only one of their recent five games and suffering a heavy loss to Oklahoma City. The uncertainty around Kevin Durant’s ankle sprain adds to the challenges, particularly given Phoenix’s record of struggles without him on the court. However, the Suns made a strategic move at the deadline, acquiring Cody Martin and Vasilije Micic in exchange for Jusuf Nurkic, aiming to refresh their lineup and add depth. With a strong historical edge over the Jazz, winning their last nine encounters, Phoenix hopes this match can mark the beginning of a resurgence, driven by the collective strength of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, despite the swirling trade rumors that have surrounded the team.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Phoenix Suns to Win
Despite a challenging stretch and the uncertainty surrounding Kevin Durant’s availability, the Phoenix Suns are positioned as the likely victors in their upcoming clash against the Utah Jazz. The Suns have a historical advantage with a nine-game winning streak over the Jazz and have maintained a strong home performance this season. Additionally, the synergy of Phoenix’s trio—Durant, Booker, and Beal—should provide a substantial edge, especially if Durant plays, approaching a personal milestone of 30,000 career points. This motivation, coupled with the recent strategic acquisitions aimed at boosting the team’s depth, suggests that the Suns are primed to leverage this match to kickstart a recovery phase of their season.
America Bet Score Prediction
Utah Jazz 104 – 112 Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are predicted to edge out the Utah Jazz with a score of 112 to 104 in their upcoming match. This prediction takes into account Phoenix’s stronger overall lineup and home court advantage, which historically has seen them perform well against Utah. Despite recent setbacks and the potential absence of Kevin Durant, the Suns’ offensive power led by Devin Booker and Bradley Beal should carry them through. The Jazz, missing key players like Jordan Clarkson and potentially Lauri Markkanen, might struggle to keep up the pace, particularly in the crucial final quarters. This anticipated high-scoring affair is expected to tilt in favour of the Suns as they aim to break their recent slump and capitalize on their dominance over the Jazz in recent encounters.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Phoenix Suns to win against Utah Jazz
- Total Points Over 210
- Kevin Durant to score 25+ points (if he plays)
- Devin Booker to be Phoenix’s top scorer
- Phoenix Suns to win by 8+ points
- Total Points Over 50 in the first quarter
- Bradley Beal to make 3+ three-pointers
- Utah Jazz under 110 total points
- First to score 20 points – Phoenix Suns
- Highest scoring half – Second half
