Utah (2-1) at Phoenix (2-1)
When: Monday, October 28th, 2019
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena,
Phoenix, Arizona
Time: 10:05 ET | TV: FS Arizona
Opening Odds: Utah -5/218
The rebuilding Phoenix Suns are off to a nice start and find themselves tied atop the NBA’s Pacific Division after three games and will look carry that momentum through a tough opening schedule when they host the Utah Jazz on Monday night. The Suns blew out the Sacramento Kings in their first game, then fell in overtime to one of the West’s favorites 108-107 – the Denver Nuggets. The next night, they took out another conference favorite at home in the Los Angeles Clippers 130-122 behind point guard Devin Booker. The league did the Suns no favors with their early season schedule that has them visiting an angry Golden State team on Wednesday. The Jazz come in with a win as well in the second night of a back-to-back, defeating the Kings 113-81 at home. That was a nice bounce back from a 95-86 setback at the Los Angeles Lakers the night before in which the Jazz shot just 41.4 percent. Utah has owned the series in recent years, winning the last seven by an average of 24.1 points.
The Jazz are once again led by shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 23.7 points on 58.7 percent shooting, but he has help this year in the form of veteran point guard Mike Conley and swingman Bojan Bogdanovic. The latter sat out Friday’s loss with an ankle injury but returned against the Kings and recorded 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range. Conley is starting to find his shooting range, going 5-for-11 against the Kings after shooting 4-of-27 in the first two games. The Jazz will entertain the Clippers on Wednesday.
Point guard Ricky Rubio is in his first season with the Suns after playing the previous two in Utah and is having a hard time finding the bottom of the basket. The former first round pick is shooting 26.3 percent after two games and missed the third with a knee injury and is listed day-to-day. 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton played on opening night, but was then suspended 25 games by the NBA for a diuretic and veteran center Aron Baynes has taken his spot. The Australian is averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in the last two games while playing solid defense. Booker led the way Saturday with 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting after going 6-of-21 in the previous contest.
This young Suns team is playing well early on, but oddsmakers are giving them too much credit here against Utah. The Jazz have dominated this series recently and should come away with an easy win.
Pick: Jazz -4.5
Jazz are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Jazz are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 vs. NBA Pacific.
Jazz are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games playing on 1 days rest.
Jazz are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Jazz are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Jazz are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 Monday games.
Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Suns are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Monday games.
Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Suns are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Suns are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 vs. NBA Northwest.
Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 6-0 in Jazz last 6 overall.
Under is 5-0 in Jazz last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 6-0 in Jazz last 6 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 6-0 in Jazz last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-0 in Jazz last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 9-1 in Jazz last 10 Monday games.
Under is 4-1 in Jazz last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 9-3 in Jazz last 12 vs. NBA Pacific.
Under is 5-2 in Jazz last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 5-2 in Jazz last 7 games following a straight up win.
Under is 7-3 in Jazz last 10 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 4-0 in Suns last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Over is 4-0 in Suns last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 5-1 in Suns last 6 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Over is 9-2 in Suns last 11 Monday games.
Under is 4-1 in Suns last 5 games following a straight up win.
Over is 8-2 in Suns last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 16-5 in Suns last 21 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 6-2 in Suns last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 6-2 in Suns last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 8-3 in Suns last 11 overall.
Over is 8-3 in Suns last 11 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Suns last 7 home games.
Jazz are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Favorite is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Under is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in Phoenix.
Jazz are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Phoenix.
