The Phoenix Suns will host the Utah Jazz at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Monday.
The Jazz (26-16) received good news regarding Rodney Hood, who suffered a freakish looking knee injury during the Jazz’s 114-107 win over the Magic in their most recent contest. No structural damage occurred in Hood’s knee, and the result is a bone bruise. The injury will keep Hood day-to-day, but Utah can breathe a sigh of relief. Hood has been averaging 14.0 points and 3.6 rebounds during the season so far. Even with the injury, all five Jazz starters finished in double figures scoring against the Magic, led by Gordon Hayward’s 23 points, five rebounds and seven assists.
The Suns (13-27) have been lifted by the hot hand of Devin Booker, who went off for 39 points in a huge win over the Spurs in their most recent contest. The matchup occurred on a neutral court, given the game was held in Mexico City as part of the NBA initiative to expand the presence of the league. It was Booker’s second straight 39 point game, as he went for the same number against the Mavericks earlier in the week, however, Booker showed off an arsenal of scoring moves that relied more on attacking the rim than the three-point shot.
The Suns will need more of Booker’s scoring, given they rank 21st in the league in offensive efficiency, and are up against a Jazz team that ranks first in defensive efficiency.
