Phoenix Suns visit the Utah Jazz in a battle for the number 8th spot in the Western Conference - NBA
On Tuesday night at the EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, the Phoenix Suns will face off against the Utah Jazz in what has been billed as the deciding battle for the only elusive 8th spot in the Western Conference.
This would be a matchup between the two teams who are desperately trying to make it to the playoffs this season and have won many hearts in their journey.
If the Jazz are to win this matchup, it would mean that they would have put an end to the 7-game losing streak against the Suns along with securing a playoff berth after a two season drought. Utah, have been able to get in this
position due to their impressive 6 wins out of nine ever since their defeat to the Suns back in April. On the other hand, the Suns have everything to play for in their remaining two games of the season. But, they still will have to rely on fate to keep their
playoff hopes alive in the season.
The Suns find themselves in a precarious situation because even if they manage to sweep the three game season series against the Jazz, they still have to complete the daunting task of defeating the powerful San Antonio Spurs, who
only last night clinched the Western Conference top seeding with an emphatic win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
It is either that or they have to hope that the Jazz would go on to lose their final game of the regular season which is against the Portland Trail Blazers. It is highly likely that the Suns would like to keep their fate in their
own hands and look to pull out all the stops, firstly against the Jazz and then against the Spurs.
If we look into the history between the two, the odds do seem to swing in the Suns favour, even with the Jazz winning their last four games at home. Phoenix, have won on their previous four trips to the Salt Lake City, their last
one coming on April 4.
Steve Nash, the veteran point guard, who has been at the centre of the sensational Suns resurgence in the second half of the season, was the pivotal piece in that victory as he knocked down two clutch shots in the closing 14 seconds
to lead his team past the Jazz by a deuce 107-105.
Along with that exquisite display against Utah, Nash has had an astounding season so far helping his team to be in contention for some post season action. Even players from the Jazz side admit that controlling Nash could be the
key if they want to win this matchup.
"Steve Nash is going to do the same thing (as Magic point guard Jameer Nelson) and get his guys the ball," said Al Jefferson, Jazz forward, "But we just have to grind it out and play hard and get some hands up in his face."
The odds further drop into Suns favour if we look at the time since Utah`s clinched their last victory against Phoenix, which came back in March, 2010.
However the Suns will go into this game without Channing Frye, who will be missing the game with a shoulder injury. On the plus side, Grant Hill, who has missed the last four games with a knee injury may return to action for them.
It still does not take anything away from the fact that it would be battle between two desperate teams, who are evenly matched and are looking for an access to the post season.
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