Phoenix Suns-Utah Jazz: New-Look Jazz Take Down the Suns

TNT will have the first NBA doubleheader of the season tonight. The second game they will feature the Utah Jazz as they host the Phoenix Suns.

The latest NBA odds posted by BetPhoenix for this game have the Jazz as seven point favorites with the total set at 208. Each team has started off the season with a loss.

The Phoenix Suns started their season off with a loss on the road to Portland. Steve Nash was the leading scorer for the team, but it was not enough to get a win as they lost by 14 points. The downfall for the Suns was the collapse in the fourth quarter when they were outscored by 31-11.

The Suns are still struggling to find chemistry since Amare Stoudemire left for the Knicks. “You’ll see a lot of things in the next month from us until we get things figured out,” coach Alvin Gentry said before the game. The adjustments will continue tonight in Salt Lake when they face off against the Jazz.

The Jazz had a similar start to their season as they were dismantled on the road in Denver. The Jazz were blown out of the Pepsi Center losing by 22 points in a game that they never had a chance in. The Jazz hope they will have better results playing in front of the home crowd. Like the Suns, the Jazz have to get adjusted to new players in their lineup, most notable Al Jefferson who was acquired in the off season by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jazz point guard Deron Williams spoke about the changes that Jefferson needs to make. "He's got to learn when that double team is coming to kick it out; I'm going to get it right back to him. But we've just got to do a better job in the offense of screening, getting guys open. A lot of times we were just out of place."

The game tonight will be interesting as both teams try to adjust to new players and new schemes. The edge goes to the Utah Jazz since they will be playing their home opener in front of a packed house. The Jazz are 37-17-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 56 games as a favorite and 26-11 ATS in their last 37 games following a loss.

Al Jefferson will get a warm welcome from the crowd and reward them with a big game and the first win of the season.

Utah Jazz (-7)

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews, and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail]