Phoenix Suns (53-28) at Utah Jazz (53-28), 10:30 p.m.
Sports Network | April 14, 2010
(Sports Network) - The Utah Jazz are still alive for the No. 2 seed in the West, but have a tough matchup tonight at home against a Phoenix Suns squad still jockeying for position in the conference standings.
Utah can lock up the second spot in the Western Conference with a win this evening at EnergySolutions Arena, coupled with a loss by Dallas Wednesday versus San Antonio. The Jazz can also capture the Northwest Division crown with a victory, as they sit a half-game ahead of Denver in the standings.
The Jazz have won 10 in a row at home and posted its second straight triumph with Tuesday's 103-94 decision at Golden State thanks to 10 points and a career-best 24 rebounds from Paul Millsap. Mehmet Okur added 23 points and seven rebounds for the Jazz, who have won 11 of their last 15 games.
"A month and a half ago there wasn't much thought about (the second seed)," said Utah head coach Jerry Sloan. "That's why you try to tell guys to just keep playing, keep trying and stay together...If you stay together, you always have a chance somewhere along the line."
A loss tonight versus the Suns would drop Utah to the No. 5. The Jazz are 32-8 at home this season. Utah forward Carlos Boozer left the game after the first quarter after straining a muscle in his right ribcage. X-rays were negative. Boozer had five points and four rebounds before leaving, and is doubtful for Wednesday's contest.
Phoenix is assured of finishing no lower than fourth in the Western Conference and managed to secure home-court advantage for a first-round playoff series with a 123-101 win versus the Nuggets on Tuesday.
Amare Stoudemire ended with 26 points and eight rebounds, Steve Nash notched with 18 points and 10 assists and Jason Richardson contributed 14 points and seven rebounds for the Suns, who can wrap up the No. 3 seed with a win tonight.
"It was very, very important for us (to secure home-court advantage)," Stoudemire said. "That was the game plan -- to come out and play strong from the start. We knew it was going to be a physical game and knew what type of team they were. We did a great job of studying them and knowing what they wanted to do and did a great job collectively of playing defense."
Phoenix has won two in a row and three of four games, and is 21-19 outside of the desert in 2009-10.
Utah is 2-1 against the Suns this season and has won 10 of the past 15 meetings between the teams. Phoenix is winless in its last four visits to Salt Lake City.
