Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns odds and best bet

Utah won its first game coming out of the break, beating Dallas at home. The win was solid, but what stood out the most is that they had their preferred lineup on the floor with guard Donovan Mitchell leading the team with 33 points and All-Star center Rudy Gobert posting a 14/17 line. Peak Utah can be very good, though they have lost to the Suns both times they have played them this season and have not beaten the Suns since 2019. Pre-COVID.

Phoenix has a couple of games under its belt since the break, winning at OKC on Thursday but then falling at home against New Orleans on Friday. The defense fell apart against the Pelicans as they gave up 117 points. 

All-Star point guard Chris Paul is out and they have elected to go with Cam Johnson in his spot in the lineup so far. That gives them a different look, more length and more shooting. Reserve PG Cam Payne came back from injury against the Pelicans but did not contribute much. They need him to get back to form so they can get back to playing the way that has given them such a big lead in the standings.  

Game Info

Utah Jazz (37-22) vs. Phoenix Suns (49-11)
Sunday, February 27, 2022
3:30 PM ET
Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
ABC

Betting Odds

Spread: Jazz +1.5 (-110), Suns -1.5 (-110)
Total: 227.5
Moneyline: Jazz -110, Suns -125

Best Bet

Phoenix -1.5

This one opened at Phoenix -4.5 at some sportsbooks so if you like the Jazz you have missed the best of the number. That doesn't mean it is the wrong side, but you do not want to make a habit of missing by that much.

I am sticking with the home side, a team that has lost back-to-back games just twice all season and only once since October. Both of these teams are very well balanced; they are both in the top ten in the NBA in scoring and points allowed. 

Not having Paul hurts, but the Suns can be a better defensive team without him. It is not that Paul is a poor defender but whether it is Johnson or Payne sucking up those minutes, you are getting a longer, more switchable defender on the floor. That is everything in the modern NBA.

Without Paul the offense suffers, especially in late-game scenarios but we are not needing to cover a big number in this one. I am still leaning toward the home side as there is just too much value with the Suns as a small favorite. 

Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton vs. Mitchell and Gobert is a battle Phoenix can win and the other matchups still favor Phoenix at most spots. This game should be the best of Sunday.