NBA 2021/22 on Tuesday, 25.01.2022
The home side’s great run at the moment is partly down to the fact that just about every player, with the exception of Devin Booker, is replaceable. For the visitors, meanwhile, a lot depends on two players who seem to have a lot going on at the moment.
The Suns have learned their lessons from last season. Because back then, they relied too much on the health of their centre DeAndre Ayton. This season, the Arizonans have upgraded at that position with JaVale McGee and Bismack Biyombo.
That decision paid off in full again just yesterday against the Pacers and is one of the reasons why the NBA Finals contender can win close 50-50 affairs very often.
Because against Indiana, Ayton was once again absent, but McGee (12) and Biyombo (13) represented him more than worthy with a multitude of rebounds! No wonder the Suns have won 90% of their last ten games.
The Suns’ quality coming off the bench is one of the main reasons why I see them ahead in the top game against the Jazz! However, the upcoming opponent will not be at 100% going into this duel – and equal replacements are not available here.
The centre Rudy Gobert as well as the outstanding Donovan Mitchell were injured until recently. Both are expected back against the Suns, but so soon after an injury I can’t imagine they can hold their own against this opponent.
Utah’s recent results have not been convincing enough for that either. They have now lost seven of their last nine games – and one of their few wins came over the low-scoring Pistons, making it a “half win” at best.
The Jazz’s fate stands and falls with players like Gobert on the defensive end and Mitchell on the offensive end. If one of them has a bad day, not much goes right for the franchise from Salt Lake City – and currently the form curve of both is sloping downwards.
An excellent example of the quality of the Suns’ squad, on the other hand, is the aforementioned duel against the Pacers. In the 113-103 win over Indiana, 44 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists came off the bench!
On top of that, the home side can not only play in front of their own crowd, but also had yesterday off, while Utah had to struggle in vain against the Warriors just last night.
Note: Mitchell’s injury seems to have been cured, but the guard was not in the Jazz’s line-up for the game against the Californians!
If we are to believe the rumours, there is currently sand in the Jazz’s gears because there is supposed to be thick air between Gobert and Mitchell. If that is indeed the case, then that can only play into the Suns’ hands tonight.
The aforementioned home court advantage of the Arizonans is also a factor that influenced my Suns Jazz tip. After all, Phoenix is the NBA team with the best home record (18-4) in both conferences after the Warriors!
These are two title challengers who are separated by just six wins in their conference, but the various bookmakers have a very clear idea of who will be victorious tonight.
A win for the Suns is almost a sure thing with odds of 1.20. If, on the other hand, the Jazz come out on top, the odds are almost five times as high, which is really unusual for Utah!
This is the first time both teams have met in a must-win game this season. By the way, Phoenix clearly won the last showdown in May 2021 with 121:100.
Conclusion: The Suns are simply a perfectly oiled machine that has hedged against injuries and a sudden loss of key players this season with more quality – best example: the centre duo McGee and Biyombo.
We will definitely see the Jazz again in the playoffs, but their game is too dependent on Gobert and Mitchell. As long as those two deliver, it’s all good too, but as it stands now, they’re having slight form fluctuations!
The home side will benefit from that today as much as their extra day off! For the visitors, Mitchell is said to be fit again since yesterday after a short injury phase, but the superstar was not on the floor against the Warriors either!
My Phoenix Suns Utah Jazz tip: The Suns will win by at least seven points!
