Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Nationally televised NBA coverage will conclude on Wednesday night with a heavyweight Western Conference rematch between the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz. Coverage begins from Vivint Arena at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

SCORE PREDICTION

Suns 114, Jazz 107

BEST BETS

Suns -3.5 (-110) at BetMGM

PHOENIX SUNS VS. UTAH JAZZ PREDICTIONS

After finishing second in the West with a record of 51-21 SU last year, Phoenix kept that same ball rolling with another triumphant start to this season, as the Suns opened with an impressive 26-5 SU and 17-14 ATS run – with 14 of those victories coming by 10+ PTS.

The last few weeks have been relatively shaky for the Suns though, considering Phoenix sits just 11-4 SU and 8-7 ATS since Christmas Day – despite getting tagged as favorites in all 15 of those contests.

On the other hand, Utah also dominated to open the season, as the Jazz kicked things off with an imposing 28-10 SU and 19-18-1 ATS run – with 20 of those SU victories coming by 10+ PTS.

January has been a month to forget for the Jazz though, considering Utah is just 2-8 SU and 3-7 ATS across the last ten games, despite being favored by 5+ PTS in seven of those contests – highlighted by head-scratching SU losses to the Pistons, Rockets, and Pacers.

I’ll back Phoenix here, as Utah has been far too difficult to trust recently, considering the Jazz enter Wednesday’s contest following losses in eight of their last ten games, while generating just 107 PPG across that timeframe – setting the stage for another unfavorable matchup against a Suns squad that’s racked up 115 PPG offensively across their current 10-1 SU run.

PHOENIX SUNS VS. UTAH JAZZ BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

PHOENIX SUNS VS. UTAH JAZZ BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: Pacific vs. Northwest
• Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022
• Venue: Vivint Arena
• Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
• TV-Time: ESPN - 10:00 p.m. ET
• Injury Report

PHOENIX SUNS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 37-9
• ATS: 25-21
• O/U: 20-25-1

After battling Utah for the conference crown all the way through the final calendar day of last year’s regular season (51-21 SU), Phoenix was surprisingly rusty to start the new season, as the Suns lost three of their first four games out of the gate – while scoring 107 PTS or less in three of those contests (106.3 PPG).

Clearly, Phoenix just needed a few days to heat up though, considering the Suns boast records of 34-6 SU and 23-17 ATS since that four-game opening skid, while ranking 3rd in the league in both scoring and offensive efficiency (112.5 PPG, 1.096 OE) – and on the flipside, ranking 6th in points allowed and 2nd in defensive efficiency (104.6 PPG, 1.019 DE).

UTAH JAZZ BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 30-18
• ATS: 21-25-2
• O/U: 24-23-1

Utah has been one of the most consistent squads in the West across the last few regular seasons, which is no coincidence, considering the Jazz typically maintain a very well-balanced attack, highlighted by Quin Snyder’s squad pacing the league in offensive efficiency by a healthy margin (1.127 OE) – while also ranking 12th in defensive efficiency (1.060 DE).

Utah’s consistency in the scoring department quickly fades without the combined presence of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert though, considering the Jazz have averaged just 107 PPG across their latest 2-7 skid – with six of those SU losses coming in the absence of Mitchell or Gobert.

PHOENIX SUNS VS. UTAH JAZZ HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Suns swept a three-game regular-season set against Utah last year, with the first matchup staying under the total at a score of 106-95 – while the ensuing two events soared over at an average of 225.5 PPG.

The most recent matchup between these teams took place just a few nights ago though, which resulted in a 115-109 home victory for Phoenix (O 220) – yet Utah still managed to cover the massive spread set in favor of the Suns (UTA +12).

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• PHO: Devin Booker - SG (24.5 PPG, 5.4 REB, 4.4 AST)
• PHO: Chris Paul - PG (14.4 PPG, 4.4 REB, 10.2 AST)
• UTA: Mike Conley - PG (14 PPG, 3 REB, 5.2 AST)
• UTA: Rudy Gobert - C (16 PPG, 15.1 REB, 2.3 BLK)

PHOENIX SUNS VS. UTAH JAZZ BETTING CONCLUSION

After posting a 115-109 home victory over Utah on Monday night, the Suns will travel to Utah for Wednesday’s contest as moderate road favorites over the Jazz at Vivint Arena – marking the first time Utah has been an underdog at home all season.

I’ll lay the points with Phoenix here, as the Suns have played increasingly well as of late, highlighted by SU victories in ten of their last 11 games, while generating roughly 115 PPG during that span – likely presenting a steep uphill battle for a Jazz squad that’s averaging just 107 PPG across their latest 2-8 SU skid.

PHOENIX SUNS VS. UTAH JAZZ BETTING TRENDS

• The Suns are 5-0 SU in their last five matchups against Utah.
• The Jazz are 5-14-1 ATS in their last 20 games.
• The Suns are 7-0 SU in their last seven games.
• The total has gone OVER in four of the last five matchups between Utah and Phoenix.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson