The Utah Jazz will be back in action on Friday night in Salt Lake City, hosting the Phoenix Suns. However, predicting the outcome on the Delta Center court might prove to be a challenge.
If NBA games could cause whiplash, many Jazz fans would likely need neck braces after witnessing their team’s recent road performances. Utah followed a 27-point loss to Oklahoma City last Tuesday with an astounding 141-99 blowout victory over Portland on Friday. The pendulum swung back dramatically on Sunday in Sacramento, where the Jazz conceded 141 points to the Kings while scoring only 97 themselves.
The Jazz return home for a brief pitstop against the Suns, having lost six of their last seven games and 10 of their last 12. They will then embark on a five-game holiday trip, facing the Clippers in Los Angeles, then traveling to Detroit, Brooklyn, Cleveland, and finally back to Portland from December 16-26.
To be competitive in this tough stretch, Utah must improve on both ends of the court. Sacramento shot 22 of 44 from 3-point range, while the Jazz made only 38.8 percent of their shots overall in their recent loss.
Although they didn’t make significant contributions in the blowout loss, the returns of Lauri Markkanen and Kyle Filipowski for the Jazz could make a difference in the upcoming games.
Keyonte George had a strong game against the Kings, scoring 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting with six assists and four steals. Johnny Juzang also impressed with a season-high 22 points in the win over Portland.
The Suns will conclude a cross-country, four-game road trip with their second visit to Utah this season, having won 120-112 on November 12.
Phoenix has struggled on this trip, losing to New Orleans, Miami, and Orlando, and currently finds itself closer to the bottom of the Western Conference standings than the top.
A potential return of Kevin Durant from a left ankle injury, which could happen as soon as Friday, would provide a big boost. The Suns are 8-2 this season when Durant teams up with fellow stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but just 1-9 when Durant is sidelined.
Durant, who has missed the last three games and 12 overall this season, is Phoenix’s leading scorer (25.8 points per game), followed by Booker (24.9) and Beal (17.8).
