The Phoenix Suns take on the Utah Jazz in the late game on the New Year's Eve schedule. If you don’t have an interest in the NBA odds on this one, you must not like NBA betting, as the biggest hoop fans know that this is the last chance to find a winner before the new year.
After Phoenix’s blowout victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on national television, this is one to look forward to. These are clearly two of the better teams in the Western Conference, and both will have something to prove here.
See how we think this matchup plays out in our free NBA picks and predictions for Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz on December 31 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, at 9 p.m. ET.
Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Injuries
Suns: Jalen Smith C (Out), Abdel Nader F (Out)
Jazz: Shaq Harrison G (Questionable)
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Under has hit in each of the Suns' last five games. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Jazz.
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Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
Last season, the Suns covered in both of their games against the Jazz. They even won one of those outright, and that team was a lot worse than what they have on the floor now. This year, an argument can be made that Phoenix is better than Utah at every position (outside of center). But that just depends on where you stand on Devin Booker vs. Donovan Mitchell, who are two of the league’s best young offensive players.
This matchup could come down to whether or not Phoenix big man Deandre Ayton can stay out of foul trouble. Ayton has had some issues early in the year, but he can be a force when healthy. If the Suns are going to cover in this game, the big fella must hold his own against Rudy Gobert. When the Suns beat the Jazz last year, Ayton had 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting. He also held Gobert to only 13 points in that one. If something even remotely similar happens here, Phoenix will like its chances.
It’s also worth noting that the Suns are 9-0 ATS in road games against teams with winning percentages between 60 and 70 percent dating back to last season. It’ll be interesting to see if that road success carries over into this season, as expectations are a lot higher for Phoenix.
PREDICTION: Suns +4.0 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
Both of these teams are capable of lighting up the scoreboard, but they are also two excellent defensive groups. This year, the Suns are first in the NBA in defensive efficiency, and the Jazz are generally near the top of the league in that regard.
Last year, they took a bit of a step back, but they can still get stops when they’re really locked in. This season, the Jazz are 12th in the league in defensive efficiency, and it would likely be a bit better If not for an uncharacteristically poor performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their second game of the year.
Booker and Mitchell will likely have a few moments where they’re trading buckets in this one, but the rest of this game should be relatively low scoring. Both teams have good rim protectors and point-of-attack defenders, which means this should ultimately end up being a battle.
PREDICTION: Under 219.0 (-110)
Team Total Pick
Even if the Jazz were to come away with a cover, it’s hard to imagine the Suns allowing Utah to hit its team total.
One of the Jazz’s best offensive weapons is Bojan Bogdanovic, who is coming off a 23-point performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That game broke Bogdanovic out of a slump, but he could struggle to put up points against Mikal Bridges, who is one of the best perimeter defenders in basketball. If Bogdanovic can’t get it going, it’s going to be tough for the Jazz to put up 112 points in this one. They just lack the firepower.
PREDICTION: Jazz team total Under 111.5 (-120)
Suns vs Jazz Betting Card
- Suns +4.0 (-110)
- Under 219.0 (-110)
- Jazz team total Under 111.5 (-120)
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