'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Utah Jazz will head to the Footprint Center in Arizona to clash with the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. The Suns, who are the top seed in the Western Conference, have met the Jazz twice before and will play them again in April. In their previous two clashes, Phoenix beat Utah by a single-digit point differential.
Both games were awfully close despite the Suns winning back-to-back games. While Utah, the fourth seed in the West with a 37-22 record, is at a disadvantage heading into Sunday. The past two games have proven that the upcoming game will be tight till the end and may tip either way.
Utah has maintained its record and stayed in the top four even after Donovan Mitchell's recent eight-game absence. The 6'1" shooting guard is one of the most prolific scorers in the entire league and the leading attacker for the Jazz. Along with Bojan Bogdanovic, Rudy Gobert, and Jordan Clarkson, the Donovan-led Jazz have the best offensive rating in the entire league.
Their upcoming opponents, however, aren't easy to bully. Despite a fierce offense, Utah will have to face not only the third-best defense but also guard against the third-best offense in the league. The Suns, with Devin Booker leading the charge, are adept at all forms of attacking. Deandre Ayton is one of the few centers in the league who can go toe-to-toe with Gobert in the paint.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
The Jazz have added only two players to their official injury report. Forward Rudy Gay has been marked as questionable and his availability for the game will depend on his status leading up to the game. Meanwhile, guard Jared Butler has been marked as out and will not suit up on Sunday.
Phoenix Suns Injury Report
The Suns, on the other hand, will prepare to host Utah, with many players expected to be sidelined. While Cameron Payne, Frank Kaminsky, Dario Saric, and Chris Paul will not suit up on Sunday, Aaron Holiday's presence will depend on his status leading up to the game.
Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns: Predicted Lineups
Utah Jazz
The Jazz backcourt will feature Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell and Conley together contribute 5.8 three-pointers per game and are one of the most fearsome guard duos in the league. Utah's frontcourt will feature Gobert, Royce O'Neal, and Bojan Bogdanovic.
Phoenix Suns
With CP3 injured and Aaron Holiday injured, the Suns will most likely play Cameron Johnson on point. He will start alongside Devin Booker on the backcourt. Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, and Deandre Ayton will start on the frontcourt. Booker will be a key figure on Sunday night.
Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns: Predicted Starting 5s
Utah Jazz
Point Guard - Mike Conley | Shooting Guard - Donovan Mitchell | Small Forward - Bojan Bogdanovic | Power Forward - Royce O’Neale | Center - Rudy Gobert.
Phoenix Suns
Point Guard - Cameron Johnson | Shooting Guard - Devin Booker | Small Forward - Mikal Bridges | Power Forward - Jae Crowder | Center - Deandre Ayton.
