Phoenix Suns vs Utah Jazz 1/26/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz Matchup Preview (1/26/22)

A few months ago, if we had this matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz, this would likely be a much more highly anticipated bout. Instead, the Utah Jazz will be deploying a lineup without two of their best players, and All-Stars, in guard Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert. The Jazz have fallen from grace in their past ten games, plummeting from top-tier to average. Utah has dropped eight games during that span, including losses to the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors. Meanwhile, Phoenix has had some injury issues of its own; however, it has not succumbed to a losing streak. Instead, the Suns have won seven straight games, including five straight on the road. This game should be close until the fourth quarter, so take a look below and see the best bet available for this matchup.

Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz Betting Odds

On Monday, these two teams faced each other, and Phoenix snuck out with a home win by six points, despite trailing at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Utah competed at a high level with its reserves, shooting just shy of 50% from the field and over 45% from behind the arc. This is a concern when considering the outcome of this game on Wednesday. Those shooting numbers are not sustainable at all, especially against a top-three defensive team in the NBA. Additionally, the Jazz shot that well and still did not win! Some of that could be attributed to a lack of second-chance points and rebounds, but realistically, how much will change from Monday to Wednesday? While the Jazz should have a few key players back, Phoenix should exploit Utah’s defense again. I’ll take Phoenix ATS if it is at four points or better.

TV Schedule

Date: 1/26/22
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Arena: Vivint Arena – Salt Lake City, UT
Channel: ESPN

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Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup

PG: Chris Paul
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Cameron Johnson
C: Bismack Biyombo

Phoenix Suns Analysis

Last season was almost a historic season for the Phoenix Suns. They fell just short of an NBA Championship after being up 2-0 in the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. This season has seemingly just been a continuation of last season’s successes; however, that is not to say that everything has been simple. As much as I mentioned the Jazz’s injury issues above, there is a need to touch on the Suns’ injuries. Phoenix will not have a substantial portion of its frontcourt for this game, including JaVale McGee, Deandre Ayton, Frank Kaminsky, and Jae Crowder. Additionally, the Suns will be without backup guard Cam Payne, who has been an integral part of their lineup. Regardless, Phoenix has had players who have stepped up, including Bismack Biyombo, who has registered double-doubles in three of his past four games. As a matter of fact, Biyombo has averaged 15.8 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists in that period. Essentially, he has produced as much as most starting centers in the NBA. It seems that as long as the Suns’ organization is still standing, they will continue to be a problem. Once Ayton returns, Biyombo should still find some minutes because of how well he has played. It’s all looking up for Phoenix.

Utah Jazz Starting Lineup

PG: Mike Conley Jr.
SG: Jordan Clarkson
SF: Royce O’Neale
PF: Bojan Bogdanovic
C: Hassan Whiteside

Utah Jazz Analysis

Well, it has undoubtedly been an interesting season for the Utah Jazz. They rose to as high as the No. 2 team in my Power Rankings throughout the 2021-22 NBA season. Now, they are dropping out of everyone’s top ten, and it is not just because Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are out. The Jazz were a terrific defensive team last season; however, they are merely average this season. Currently, they rank 12th in opponent points per game and defensive efficiency and seventh in opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage.) These may not seem like bad stats, but you must consider how much they have tumbled recently. Over their past ten games, Utah has had the fourth-worst defensive rating, only behind the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, and Sacramento Kings. That is not the kind of company you want to be in when you are trying to contend for a title. Luckily, the Jazz will have some familiar faces back in the lineup. Still, missing your two best players is still a substantial hit to your team.

Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz Daily Fantasy Picks

It should be clear which Phoenix Suns player I would recommend in DFS for this matchup: Bismack Biyombo. Biyombo has played tremendous basketball in his past four games, putting up three double-doubles. His averages during that span come to 15.8 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists. I can assure you that there are not many other centers putting up those kinds of numbers at the salary that Biyombo is currently at in DFS. If you can, plug him into your utility slot in your DFS lineup and reap all the benefits of not slobbering over name value.

Hassan Whiteside should draw yet another start with Rudy Gobert being out again. Whiteside has filled up the stat sheet at times when he gets a sufficient amount of minutes. In his last four games, he has started and consequently put up some substantial numbers. He has averaged 11.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1,5 blocks, and one assist per game during that span. In short, when he gets 25-30 minutes on the floor, he has produced a fair amount. He will likely not be a world-killer for you and your DFS team; however, he could be a terrific budget player. With Rudy Gobert set to miss this game and Bismack Biyombo being deployed at the five for Phoenix, Whiteside should see around 30 minutes. Therefore, expect him to produce close to starter numbers.