phoenix suns 140 vs utah jazz 137

Two top-5 Western Conference teams face off in Utah on Friday night.

The importance of Chris Paul to the Suns can’t be overstated. Including the game Paul got hurt in and only played 14 minutes, the Suns are 1-3 since he’s been out. They’ve lost to the 76ers, Magic, and Heat, and are now facing a surprisingly good Jazz team. Devin Booker is averaging 26.5 points per game but needs to take more on his shoulders when Paul is out, and more of their role players need to pick up the pieces.

Though they’ve now lost two straight to the Wizards and 76ers, The Jazz might still be the biggest surprise of the season so far. After trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in the offseason, they were supposed to be a bottom-5 team this year, right? Apparently not. The Jazz are 4th in the league in scoring, 9th in 3 point FG%, and 4th in defending the 3 on defense. Lauri Markkanen is averaging a career high 21.8 points per game, but will need to find his footing again after being limited by the Wizards and 76ers.

Before playing each other on Friday night, the Suns play at home against the Warriors on Wednesday night, and the Jazz host the Knicks on Tuesday night.