Utah Jazz vs Phoenix-suns Picks and Predictions December 13th 2024

Suns Look to Rebound, Possibly with Durant, Against Inconsistent Jazz

The Phoenix Suns aim to end their four-game road trip on a high note as they face the Utah Jazz on Friday night in Salt Lake City. While the Suns may welcome Kevin Durant back to the lineup, the Jazz are searching for stability after a string of wildly inconsistent performances.

Jazz Searching for Consistency

Utah’s recent stretch has been a rollercoaster. The Jazz followed a 27-point drubbing by Oklahoma City with a stunning 141-99 victory over Portland, only to suffer a lopsided 141-97 defeat to Sacramento. Jazz head coach Will Hardy didn’t sugarcoat his assessment of the loss to the Kings.

“Yeah, we got our butts kicked,” Hardy said. “That’s the way the NBA can feel now. Games can feel crazy when teams get hot shooting the ball from kind of everywhere.”

The Jazz allowed Sacramento to shoot 50 percent from 3-point range (22 of 44) while struggling to make just 38.8 percent of their own shots. That kind of defensive inconsistency has defined their recent struggles, with Utah losing six of their last seven games and 10 of their last 12.

Keyonte George has been a bright spot, scoring 25 points with six assists and four steals against Sacramento. Meanwhile, Johnny Juzang posted a season-high 22 points in the win over Portland. The return of Lauri Markkanen and Kyle Filipowski from injury provides some hope for stability moving forward.

“We are in this space of guys being in and out, and it’s tough for young players to find continuity,” Hardy said. “I think for any team to find a level and sustain, we do need to have continuity.”

Suns Struggling Without Durant

The Suns enter Friday’s game having lost all three games on their current road trip. They find themselves closer to the bottom of the Western Conference standings than the top, a surprising position for a team with championship aspirations.

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The potential return of Kevin Durant from a left ankle injury could provide the spark Phoenix needs. Durant, who has missed the last three games and 12 overall this season, is the team’s leading scorer at 25.8 points per game. The Suns are 8-2 this season when Durant plays alongside fellow stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but just 1-9 when he’s absent.

“Just being fully healthy, having everybody, it’d be nice to get rolling and string some wins together,” Suns center Mason Plumlee said. “Those stretches can be meaningful. It does bring out a sense of identity if you’re able to put some wins together.”

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Booker and Beal have been solid contributors, averaging 24.9 and 17.8 points per game, respectively, but their efforts haven’t been enough without Durant on the court.

Season Series So Far

This is the second meeting between these teams this season. Phoenix claimed a 120-112 victory in Salt Lake City on Nov. 12, with their trio of stars all contributing. The Suns hope a healthier lineup will help them replicate that success.

What to Watch

• Durant’s Availability: If Durant plays, the Suns instantly become a much more dangerous team. Watch for how his presence impacts the game, especially in tandem with Booker and Beal.
• Jazz Defense: Utah’s ability to defend the 3-point line and maintain consistency on both ends of the court will be critical against Phoenix’s star power.
• Keyonte George’s Development: The Jazz rookie continues to show flashes of brilliance. Can he build on his strong performance against Sacramento?

Outlook

Both teams are desperate for a win—Utah to stabilize their season and Phoenix to regain momentum in the Western Conference. If Durant returns, the Suns will be heavy favorites, but the Jazz have shown they can surprise even the most prepared opponents. Friday night’s clash promises a mix of star power and unpredictability as both teams look to find their footing.