Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Nationally televised NBA action will resume Sunday mid-afternoon with a heavyweight Western Conference bout between the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. Coverage begins from Footprint Center at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Score Prediction

Jazz 116, Suns 110

Best Bets

Jazz +1.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Jazz vs. Suns Predictions

After earning the top spot in the West with a record of 52-20 SU last year, Utah kept that same momentum going with another triumphant to start the season, as the Jazz opened with an imposing 28-10 SU and 19-18-1 ATS run – with 20 of those SU victories coming by 10+ PTS.

Utah has been on quite the rollercoaster since New Year’s Day though, considering the Jazz went just 4-12 SU and 4-11-1 ATS across the month of January – and now boast tallies of 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS across February.

On the other hand, Phoenix also posted a strong start to this season, as the Suns kicked things off with a sturdy 27-8 SU and 18-17 ATS run – with 18 of those victories coming by 10+ PTS.

Phoenix has been red hot since mid-January though, considering the Suns enter Sunday riding an impressive 22-3 SU and 15-10 ATS stretch – while scoring 116.2 OPPG and allowing just 106.6 DPPG across that span.

I’ll back Utah here, as the Suns are still a very talented squad without Chris Paul on the floor, but the 12-time All-Star’s absence should be a far more noticeable factor in matchups against top-tier opponents like the Jazz.

Jazz vs. Suns Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Jazz vs. Suns Betting Resources

• Matchup: Northwest vs. Pacific
• Date: Sunday, February 27, 2022
• Venue: Footprint Center
• Location: Phoenix, AZ
• TV-Time: ABC - 3:30 p.m. ET
• Injury Report

Utah Jazz Betting Analysis

• SU: 37-22
• ATS: 26-31-2
• O/U: 28-30-1

The Jazz have been one of the most consistent squads in the West across the last few regular seasons, which is no coincidence, as they continue to maintain a remarkably well-balanced attack, considering Utah currently paces the league in offensive efficiency by a healthy margin (1.129 OE) – while also ranking top ten in defensive efficiency (1.061 DE).

Utah’s consistency quickly fades without the combined presence of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert though, considering the Jazz’ top-ranked offensive attack has scored just 109.7 OPPG across their latest 9-12 SU stretch – with nine of those SU losses coming in the absence of at least one superstar.

Phoenix Suns Betting Analysis

• SU: 49-11
• ATS: 33-27
• O/U: 29-30-1

After battling Utah for the top spot in the conference all the way through the final day of last year’s regular season (51-21 SU), the Suns were surprisingly rusty to start this season, as Phoenix dropped three-of-four games out of the gate – while scoring just 106.3 OPPG across that window.

Phoenix clearly just needed a few days to loosen up though, considering the Suns boast records of 48-8 SU and 32-24 ATS since that opening skid, while ranking fourth in the league in both scoring and offensive efficiency (113.6 PPG, 1.107 OE) – and on the flipside, ranking sixth in points allowed and third in defensive efficiency (105.7 PPG, 1.029 DE).

Jazz vs. Suns 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 affairs both soared over at an average of 225.5 PPG. The Suns are also 2-0 SU against Utah this season, with the first matchup going over the number at a score of 115-109 (O 220.5) – while the second stayed under with a score of 105-97 (U 223).

Key Players to Watch

• UTA: Donovan Mitchell - SG (25.9 PPG, 4.2 REB, 5.2 AST)
• UTA: Rudy Gobert - C (15.6 PPG, 14.8 REB, 2.3 BLK)
• PHX: Devin Booker - SG (25.6 PPG, 5.2 REB, 4.6 AST)
• PHX: Deandre Ayton - C (16.3 PPG, 10.1 REB, 1.4 AST)

Jazz vs. Suns Betting Conclusion

After posting an ugly home loss against New Orleans on Friday night, the Suns enter Sunday’s contest as short home favorites over the Jazz at Footprint Center – marking the first time Utah has been an underdog since the start of February.

I’ll back Utah here, as the Suns sit 1-2 ATS since CP3’s latest injury, which includes a narrow SU victory over the Rockets (W, 124-121), and a head-scratching SU loss to the Pelicans (L, 117-102) – setting the stage for a tough home matchup against a Jazz squad that’s averaging 116.1 OPPG across their latest 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS run.

Jazz vs. Suns Betting Trends

• The Jazz are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
• The Suns are 6-1 ATS in their last seven matchups against Utah.
• The total has gone UNDER in six of the last eight Jazz' games.
• The total has gone OVER in six of the last eight Suns' games.
• The total has gone OVER in four of the last six 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