NBA Betting Line - Jazz vs Suns

With everything going on in March Madness, don’t forget that there is still a lot of exciting NBA action to be taking in. Two of the league’s best will do battle in Friday night’s betting odds, when the red-hot Utah Jazz travel to Phoenix, to take on the Suns.

Utah Jazz (44-24 SU, 42-23-3 ATS) at Phoenix Suns (42-26 SU, 39-28-1 ATS)

Friday, March 19: 10:00 p.m.

Here are some NBA Betting Trends which may impact this game:

• Utah: 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games
• Utah: 6-2 SU in their last 8 games
• Phoenix: 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games
• Phoenix: 3-2 SU in their last 5 games

As we enter this game, the big key is whether or not Utah point guard Deron Williams will be able to suit up.

Williams is the steady hand that makes the Jazz go, and it showed earlier in the year, as he was selected to his first NBA All-Star game.

The born and bred Texan is averaging 10.3 assists a game, which currently ranks him third in the league. But after tweaking an ankle a few nights ago, no one is quite sure if he’ll be ready to play on Friday night.

If not, that only adds more pressure to Utah’s, big and menacing front line. On the season, they’ve got four players averaging double figures in scoring along that front, none more important than power forward Carlos Boozer.

Boozer has been dominant, averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game. But if Williams can’t get him the ball, can the Jazz win in Phoenix?

Speaking of Phoenix, they come into this game off one of their great performances, not only of the season, but in franchise history, as they hung a staggering 152 points on Minnesota. You read that correctly, 152 points.

Even more amazing is how balanced the attack was, as they had eight players score in double figures, none getting more than 25.

The ringleader of this high-powered Phoenix offense is none other than Steve Nash. Nash has been one of the premiere point guards in the league for some time now, but to be doing what he is at his advanced age, is nothing short of spectacular.

He leads the NBA in assists, averaging 11.2, while also scoring 16 points a game. Amare Stoudemire, Jason Richardson and Grant Hill are the recipients of most of those passes, as each scores in double figures.

What this game comes down to is really pretty simple: Will Deron Williams play, and if he does, how effective will he be? Either way, it seems like Phoenix is the play here.

If you’re Utah, it’s bad enough that your superstar is a little nicked up, but honestly, in a game against the No. 1 scoring offense in the NBA, that’ll be back and forth all game long, would you want to run your best player out there who’s got an ankle injury? While we’re not saying that we know any information on Williams health, it seems like it might be smart to just sit him out in this one.

Therefore take the Suns. Without Williams in this game, they should be able to cruise to victory. Make them your pick in Friday night’s pro basketball betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Phoenix ATS > > JOIN NOW! < <